Oderwitz Castle is an elegant early 20th-century Saxon manor house tucked into the quiet municipality of Oderwitz on the edge of the Lusatian Mountains. It's a place where the story of the noble von Beschwitz family meets Germany's turbulent 20th-century history, making it a rewarding stop for anyone who enjoys architecture with a story behind it.

Built between 1910 and 1911 as the residence of Baron Maximilian von Beschwitz, the manor sits within a well-kept park that blends nicely with the gentle, rolling countryside typical of this part of Saxony. Spring and summer bring lush greenery perfect for a relaxed walk, autumn colors the surrounding grounds beautifully, and winter snow lends the building's facade a quiet, stately charm. It makes a pleasant addition to a day of hiking or exploring the Lusatian Mountains region.

How to get there

• From central Oderwitz — short walk or drive along the local road, easy route
• Reachable by car from nearby Zittau in about 15-20 minutes

Practical information

• The building is a listed historical monument
• From 1949 to 2012 it served as a youth hostel known as 'Schloss Oderwitz'
• Since April 2012 it has been back in private ownership

Interesting fact: toward the end of World War II, the manor was used to store part of the collections of the Prussian State Library, adding an unexpected chapter to its history.