History

The first written record of Wanzleben dates from the year 896.

Burg Wanzleben is one of the largest lowland castles in Europe. Its symbol, the 30-metre-high keep has towered over the castle for more than a thousand years.

From the 12th to the 14th Century, the Lords of Wanzleben were vassals of the monastery of Gandersheim. They were forced to sell the Castle to the Archbishop of Magdeburg in 1378 due to financial difficulties. In 1578 the Archbishops converted the former defensive tower into a residential castle and created a new entranceway displaying their coat of arms above the gates, which are still in use today.

The beginning of the 18th Century saw the establishment of the Prussian seignory of Wanzleben, which was leased in 1778 from the Kühne family, the lords of the manor, who had resided in Wanzleben since 1690 as royal counsellors.

The many illustrious guests of centuries past include The Duke and Duchess Ludolf and Oda of Saxony, Major Schill, Frederick the Great of Prussia, Queen Louise of Prussia and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, whose armies were billeted in Wanzleben.

In 1945 the domain was taken over by the Red Army, and the Kühne family dispossessed. Under the GDR, the castle premises were home to various institutions including a Bank, the collectivised farm institution LPG and a Kindergarten. However, due to a lack of investment many of the buildings were growing increasingly dilapidated. Following reunification, Burg Wanzleben was purchased in 1993 by Dr. Friedrich-Wilhelm Kühne, grandson of the last tenant of the estate, Erich Kühne. It was Dr. Kühne who gradually restored it, transforming Burg Wanzleben into what it is today – a top quality hotel with a truly unique atmosphere.