Prisoner of war camp, insane asylum, hospital: Colditz Castle near Leipzig has a moving history. It was once a magnificent hunting lodge, later a symbol of the desire for freedom. The unrenovated state of many rooms gives it a unique lost-place feel. The castle walls harbor centuries of secrets. From April 17, 2024, they will be brought back to life with the »HistoPad« tablet guide.
Colditz Castle. We bring history to life.
Immerse yourself in the era of the Third Reich, when Colditz Castle served as the Oflag IV C prisoner of war camp. The Wehrmacht held many high-ranking Allied officers prisoner at the time. Despite creative escape attempts, only a few prisoners succeeded in making a homerun. Legendary escape attempts by POWs such as Pat Reid, the author of »The Colditz Story«, still exert a special fascination today. Join in: Test at an interactive experience station whether you would have succeeded in escaping with the famous Colditz glider and set off on a treasure hunt with your tablet.
Take a look at the once stately Renaissance chambers of Frederick the Wise and listen to eyewitness accounts that bring the chapter of Colditz as a hospital back to life. Discover the castle interactively and experience adventurous stories – goosebumps guaranteed!
On a treasure hunt with the HistoPad
From April 17, 2024, Colditz Castle can be experienced in a new way: with the HistoPad, an interactive tablet guide, the lost place comes to life and provides previously unseen insights.
A treasure hunt complements the innovative experience and invites families to explore as well: Whoever finds the seven hidden items that were essential for an escape secures a digital Colditz escape map as a reward. the Western Allies.
Important information at a glance:
- Eight immersive rooms provide unforgettable insights into the castle's history and explain extraordinary exhibits.
- Ten immersive escape stories document the sometimes legendary and creative escape attempts of the Allied officers.
- Learn more about the development of the castle and the escape attempts of the officers thanks to augmented reality, 3D staging and high-resolution images.
- Take a historic selfie to remember your visit.
- Navigate your way through the halls and rooms using the interactive map.
- Available in 6 languages: German, English, French, Czech, Polish, Dutch.
- Also suitable for people with reduced mobility, visual impairments and hearing loss.
Are you a tour operator?
If you are planning a group trip to Schloesserland Sachsen and are interested in the new exhibition at Colditz Castle, simply subscribe to our newsletter. We will contact you as soon as we accept booking requests for groups. You will also receive further details about the new experience with the HistoPad, information about your visit and stay on site and guided tours.
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Planning your visit
What is the admission price for the exhibition?
Full rate: €10.00
Reduced rate: €8.00
Group rate for groups of 15 people or more: €8.00
Opening Hours
April 17 - November 3, 2024
- Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
-
Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- closed on Mondays, except on public holidays
Starting 2025: Early April – end of October
How much time should I plan for a visit?
Guests should plan about 1.5 – 2 h for the tour with HistoPad.
Is the exhibition suitable for children? If so, from what age?
No, not designed for children. Only suitable for children aged 10+.
Is there (free) parking for cars?
Yes, free car and coach parking is available on Fuerstenweg as well as above the castle at Tiergarten.
Accessibility
- Suitable for people with visual or hearing impairments.
- Unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs due to the nature of the historical building.
Is there overnight accommodation and/or catering on site?
Tips for overnight stays:
Colditz Youth Hostel www.schloss-colditz.de/jugendherberge-colditz
Gasthaus „Schlosswächter“ www.gasthaus-colditz.de
Pension am Albertberg www.pension-albertberg.de
Catering:
Gasthaus „Schlosswächter“ inn ar caste entrance www.gasthaus-colditz.de
Waldhaus Colditz Hotel & Gasthof www.waldhaus-colditz.de
Waldschlösschen www.maxi-waldschlösschen.de
Exhibition content
What can I experience at the exhibition?
From April 16, 2024, visitors can experience Colditz Castle like never before and go on an interactive discovery tour with the HistoPad. The interactive tablet guide takes visitors on a journey back in time to the Renaissance period and the Second World War, when Colditz Castle served as an important prisoner-of-war camp for high-ranking officers of the Western Allies.
In the new exhibition, for the first time in the history of Colditz Castle, visitors can also enter and discover the stately and institutional rooms. And for the first time, these fascinating lost places tell their exciting stories – expect goosebumps.
The history of Colditz Castle as a "state institution for the incurably mentally ill" (1829-1924) and as a hospital (1946-1996) is also told.
What is the HistoPad and what can I discover with it at Colditz Castle?
The HistoPad is an interactive tablet guide. Thanks to augmented reality, 3D animations and high-resolution images, the lost place of Colditz Castle and its history come to life. Guests embark on an immersive journey through time and learn more about exciting exhibits, room furnishings, the role of Colditz as a center of political power during the Renaissance and the escape attempts of officers during World War II. With the HistoPad, visitors can move freely through the castle, zoom in on high-resolution photos and discover fascinating details that are barely visible to the naked eye.
In which languages is the HistoPad available?
The HistoPad will be available in six languages: German, English, French, Czech, Polish, and Dutch.
Will there be a treasure hunt or similar, like at the other sites – Moritzburg Castle and Albrechtsburg Castle?
Just like at Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle or Moritzburg Castle, visitors to Colditz Castle will embark on an exciting treasure hunt to find hidden treasures and earn a digital Colditz escape map as a reward.
You will also have the opportunity to take a historical selfie with the HistoPad as a souvenir of your visit and have it emailed to you.
Groups
What is the admission price for groups for guided tours?
Admission price for groups of 15 people or more is €8.00.
With the "Extended Tour", the tour and exhibition cost €28.00 p.p. with a minimum group size of 12 people.
Are there group tours and if so, in which languages are they available?
We have the "Extended Tour" for groups. This is available in English. The tour takes around 2 hours with a tour guide to the OFLAG IV C memorial sites inside and outside the castle. Afterwards, the HistoPad can be used to take an individual tour of the museum.
Where and how can I reserve/book for my group?
Please register for our Colditz Castle digital mailing: www.schloss-colditz.de/en/b2b-mailing. We will contact you as soon as we accept booking requests for the new exhibition at Colditz Castle. If you have further questions, please contact b2b@schloesserland-sachsen.de.
Is there (free) parking for coaches?
Yes, free car and coach parking is available on Fuerstenweg as well as above the castle at Tiergarten.
