You read correctly – Germany’s infamous Colditz is again open – but for day trips only, giving visitors their first chance to see and re-live centuries-old secrets of the former prisoner of war jail where few Allied prisoners managed to escape.
Visit Colditz and escape that day!
After two years of intense conversion work, the castle near Leipzig is now open to visitors for the first time – offering an emotional tour of three areas of the former hunting lodge – the Cellar House, Castle Chapel and Prince’s House, where you can view 300 exhibits and experience immersive scenes from 500 years’ castle history. Some €500K was invested by the State Palaces, Castles and Gardens of Saxony, where Saxon kings and princes once lived as well as the dark history of the castle, which served as a prisoner of war camp, mental asylum and hospital.
Key element of the presentation is, the HistoPad offering 3D animations, a 360-degree view and high-resolution photos. With the touch of a button visitors get animations and films offering fascinating insights into the past. Key area of the tour is World War II, as Colditz was a prisoner of war camp for high-ranking Allied officers, including regular escapers, and prominent prisoners such as the nephews of Winston Churchill and King George VI.
Colditz-Castle-Germany-1945
The many impressive prisoner escape attempts are legend in Britain – popularised in the TV series and Colditz Story book, which made the castle a symbol of freedom. The tour recreates ten of the more than 300 escape attempts, including the most famous breakout through the French tunnel; then guests can test whether they could have managed to escaped with the glider, which British prisoners secretly built themselves. “.
Colditz back to life – April till October
Adults: €10.00 | Reduced: €8.00 | Groups of 15 or more: €8.00 each
schloesserlandCARD holders only pay €3 for the HistoPad.
Closed Mondays except bank holidays. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
www.schloss-colditz.de
www.schloesserland-sachsen.de
www.histovery.com
