Hinterglauchau Castle is a Renaissance castle in the western Saxon town of Glauchau, perched on a rocky spur above the Zwickauer Mulde river. Built from 1470 onwards on the site of a medieval castle erected around 1170 by the Lords of Schönburg, it served for centuries as the seat of their power - and today it is one of the most fascinating heritage sites in western Saxony.

The castle hill drops steeply on three sides and is separated from the town by the so-called Short Moat. A stone bridge spans the neck ditch connecting Hinterglauchau with the neighbouring Forderglauchau Castle. The atmosphere here is truly special - narrow underground passages, the legendary dungeon known as the 'Flasche', a historic chapel and sweeping views over the Mulde valley create a memorable visit, especially in autumn and winter when mist rises over the river.

• Glauchau town centre — walk across the bridge into the courtyard of Forderglauchau Castle, then over the bridge across the neck ditch to Hinterglauchau, about 10-15 minutes, easy
• Underground 'secret' passage from the Hirschgrund ravine — accessible to visitors on selected dates

• The castle houses the Museum and Art Collection of Schloss Hinterglauchau
• Medieval underground passages and the castle well, around 18-19 metres deep, can be visited
• The medieval dungeon 'Flasche' can be viewed through the so-called fear hole
• St. Marien castle chapel features an epitaph by sculptor Hugo Hagen
• On Open Monument Day the museum, passages and chapel are free to visit

According to local tradition, bears were once kept in the castle moat, and the underground passage is said to have served as a secret escape route - today visitors can walk through it and see the medieval vaults carved directly into the rock.