Close to the town of Reichenbach, the von Üchtritz family had the imposing Krobnitz Castle manor house built in the mid-18th century, which has been undergoing extensive renovation since 2002. One of the special features of the complex, which provides a magnificent backdrop for numerous events in summer, is the mansard floor. The later owner, Prussian Field Marshal General Roon, had it added as a copy of the Berlin Ministry of War.
Guided tours by appointment
By car: Leave the A4 at the Nieder Seifersdorf exit and follow the S122 to Dobschütz. From Dobschütz follow the signs.
A man like Albrecht Count von Roon would never have settled in Saxony or even Bohemia after the end of his time in the service of King and later Emperor Wilhelm I. He would not have been worthy of a Prussian Minister of War. That would not have been worthy of a Prussian Minister of War. However, as large parts of Saxony were annexed to Prussia after the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the von Roon family found a retirement home befitting their status at Krobnitz Castle near Reichenbach. And that is why “A piece of Prussia in Saxony” can be found here today.
The former field marshal had barely acquired the baroque manor house in 1873 when he had it rebuilt according to his Prussian ideals. “Contemporary” models at the time were neoclassical buildings, which still characterize the image of Berlin today. The flat roof and the balustrade that runs around the whitewashed, rectangular building are particularly striking. After the palace was initially used as refugee accommodation at the end of the Second World War and then lost any historical character during the GDR era, it was reconstructed in the early 2000s. It was a stroke of luck. A surviving balustrade column was found in the rubble and served as a model. The octagonal tower on the side of the manor house, which had already been demolished in 1946 in order to obtain building materials, was also rebuilt as part of the extensive renovation of the entire castle and the buildings of the baroque estate.
Thanks to the commitment of the municipality of Reichenbach and its residents, Krobnitz Castle has been restored to its former glory and is a popular cultural venue in eastern Saxony. The extensive landscaped park, which Roon also had extended and where numerous open-air events have been held since the opening of the castle to the public, is also a frequent meeting place. The new permanent exhibition will soon form the heart of the castle's interior. It is currently being developed and will not only provide information about the entire history of the castle from its beginnings to the present day, but will also introduce visitors to the man who played a significant role in the founding of the German Empire and brought a piece of Prussia to Saxony. Albrecht Theodor Emil Count von Roon. Incidentally, he himself was not able to enjoy the tranquillity of his retirement home in Upper Lusatia for long. He died six years after acquiring Schloss Krobnitz - in a hotel in Berlin.
