Mildenstein Castle in Saxony
Admittedly, we had traveled from Mildenstein Castle near Leisnig before our trip through the Schlösserland Saxony never heard. Nevertheless, we visited her. Because we were invited to an event. We should learn to cook in medieval style. That definitely aroused our curiosity. We had a few years ago in Stein am Rhein for the first time medieval (pilgrim) food tried. This time, however, we should cook ourselves. That particularly appealed to us. It was clear to us that there were no tomatoes, potatoes or spices back then. We wanted to find out what was on the table at the Knights of Burg Mildenstein.
Our visit to the castle Mildenstein
However, before we can enter the castle kitchen, we get a tour of the castle grounds. Not all buildings are open to the public. It is eagerly restored. In doing so, special emphasis is placed on authentic restoration. Walking through the showrooms awakens the feeling as if we are making a journey back in time to the past. The small castle chapel once served the inhabitants of the complex for worship services. Today it is a museum. From a balcony in the castle wall opens a view over the Freiberger Mulde. This flows deep below us through the valley. Castle Mildenstein perched on a steep rock spur over the river.
I can well imagine how the damsels once stood here and looked for the knights. It was also the perfect place to fend off attackers. From here the slope goes steeply down into the valley. Anyone who ventured high risked his life anyway. However, we have a great view of the river valley and the village of Leisnig on the other side.
The castle is mentioned for the first time in 1046. In 1058, Friedrich Barbarossa made it an imperial castle. The keep in the inner courtyard dates from that time. Later it served as the seat of the margraves and as the royal court of Stanislaw Leszczynski. This Polish king stayed on the castle grounds between 1706 and 1707 with 1000 followers. In the centuries that followed, the castle eventually served as a district court and prison. Even officials lived in the castle apartments. Today most of the buildings serve as exhibition and event rooms.
Where one celebrates festivals today and once held prisoners criminals
Our tour through the castle takes us to the knights' halls. These can be rented today for events. Tables on long wooden tables or celebrate under the banners of the knights wedding? If you want, you can do that at Mildenstein Castle.
One floor down we pass the cells where criminals were once held prisoner. In one room, one can learn about the understanding of law in earlier times - torture included. In another room, however, things are more peaceful. In it one shows how the official mold here once swung his scepter.
Medieval cooking at Burg Mildenstein
After our tour through the castle grounds, we go to the black kitchen. There is already an open wood fire smoking under metal kettles hanging from the ceiling. Bowls full of onions, carrots, beans, leeks and herbs are waiting for us. Under the guidance of Obermagd Anna we cut the vegetables and herbs small. In the meantime a millet porridge is bubbling over the fire. Once this is cooked soft, we add vegetables and herbs. It is seasoned with salt.
In addition, there is herbal yoghurt with borage and home-baked white bread. To drink we get - not quite true to style - cold water from the tap. In medieval times, it was safe to get out of the castle well.
There is no meat. This was reserved for the lords of the castle. The servants of the castle lived mainly on vegetables and cereals. A healthy and nutritious, if monotonous, diet.
In Petar's video you also get a good impression of Burg Mildenstein and our medieval cooking class:
Further travel tips for castles and palaces:
- These three Baroque castles in Saxony you should know
- 5 castles and palaces in the Harz recommends Miriam from NorthStar Chronicles
Do you like to travel by motorhome?
- Do you want to rent a motorhome? Then you will find information and a selection in these booking options here. Rent a motorhome or a camper near you here. Or would you prefer to stay overnight in a roof tent on the car? Also the overnight stay in camping tents is possible.
- Check our packing list for campers to see whether you have packed everything for your motorhome tour.
- A campsite nearby is the Ferienpark Thümmlitzsee campsite, Zum Thümmlitzsee 10-12, 04668 Grimma. But there are other campsites in the area. There you can after a day trip in a Dutch Oven or on the portable grill or maybe on a campfire . You can also find Dutch oven accessories here.
- Practical accessories for the mobile home you can also find here.
- Why is a folding e-bike useful when camping?
Travel Arrangements
Castle Mildenstein Click here for a map
Burglehn 6
04703 Leisnig
Current information on opening times, entrance fees, hall rents and events can be found on the Website of the castle.
Events at Mildenstein Castle
The castle offers events throughout the year that bring the Middle Ages to life. This ranges from knight festivals, concerts and plays to beer brewing courses to medieval cooking classes. The current dates and offers can be found on the Website of the castle.
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
How to get there
Book yours here Arrival by plane, bus or train*. The nearest airport is Leipzig.
By car:
- A14, exit Leisnig, follow the signs on the overview boards!
- A4 exit Heinichen; B 169 until shortly before Döbeln; Take the Leisnig exit and continue to Leisnig
Book a cheap car rental here *.
By train, the journey is also possible:
It is also possible to travel by train. Leisnig train station is located directly below the castle. Timetable and booking*.
Accomodation
Hotels in and around Leisnig * You can also book online at booking.com.
Do you already know:
Do you already know:
Other Slow Travel Tips here.
Further information about our trip can be found on couch adventurers, Sophia's world, 1 Thing to Do and Hunter and collector blog.
Source Burg Mildenstein Leisnig: Research on site at the invitation of Schloesserland Sachsen. However, our opinion remains our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Sounds very interesting.
Especially the medieval cooking, I imagine exciting.
Best regards,
Michaela
Dear Michaela,
that's it. However, we first had to get used to the smoke from the open fire. The millet porridge with vegetables would not be mine in the long run either. I am glad that I live in this day and age. This is precisely why this cooking class was a great experience, because it gave us a first-hand experience of how people lived in those times. I find that much better than just reading about it in books or learning about it in museum display cases.
Best regards,
Monika
Cooking like in the Middle Ages, that sounds interesting. Although I imagine that pretty rustic. But that's a bit different castle tour. And how did it taste?
Dear Antje,
It was definitely a great experience. Not so easy to get an open fire that does not smoke :). There were no meat and exotic spices at the time either. It was seasoned with herbs and salt. That's it. Our millet porridge with vegetables and yoghurt sauce tasted quite good, but in the long run I would certainly be too monotonous. I prefer today's variety.
Best regards,
Monika
That looks great and makes you hungry. We are not the "classic" castle-goers, but when that is combined with a cooking class, it sounds very tempting. When inspecting such old walls, you always realize how easy we have it today (steamer etc.). But cooking over an open fire has a very special charm!
Dear Silke,
except for the smoke :). At first the kitchen was totally smoked. No wonder that such kitchens are called black kitchens.
Best regards,
Monika
Hey,
how wonderful, I like mediaeval festivals and I like to visit a castle.
Greetings!
Hi Jenny,
then you will like the castle Mildenstein. The best way to visit them is to attend an event that revives the Middle Ages. There are various offers during the year, which are announced on their website.
Best regards,
Monika
I think it's a great idea to offer medieval food in such a castle, because an old castle has a completely different flair.
Hi Anja,
I think you're right. Above all, one can then imagine much better how the people lived there then. No showcase or exhibition brings this over so well and close. In addition, you experience it by participating much more intense.
Best regards,
Monika
Is there a reason why the kitchen is called Schwarzküche?
Sounds exciting anyway. And an event that is really different. Nice. :)
Hello Julia,
I suppose the name comes from it, because the open fire, at least in the beginning, is quite exhausting. Since the deduction directly above the open hearth does not help much. Still, that was a great experience.
Best regards,
Monika