Zscheiplitz

Geography

Located in the southern part of Sachsen-Anhalt. Administratively it is a part of the town of Freyburg, northwest of Naumburg, and of the "Verwaltungsgemeinschaft" ("collective municipality") Unstruttal. It has a medieval residence, castle and a former Benedictine monastery.

History

Zscheiplitz began its life as a small Slavonic settlement on top of the hill overlooking the river valley - some time in the 7-9th century AD.

Subjugated by the Frankish military might, it became a residence of the Imperial palatine count Friedrich of Saxony. In 1041 he built his Weissenburg residence here.

In 1085 Friedrich's widow Adelheid donated the estate to the church. In 1089 Zscheiplitz became the Benedictine monastery. Saint Martin of Tour was its patron saint; the church, dedicated to him was erected soon thereafter and is the oldest one in the region of Unstrut valley.

After the Reformation and subsequent dissolution of the monastery in the mid 16th century the estate passed to the hands of private owners. Fields and forests, churches, vineyards and mills - all together the property formed a unique socio-economic universum, preserved despite political turbulence and wars.

Napoleon was an unwelcome guest here in October 1813, turning Zscheiplitz into a fortified artillery position in support of his retreating armies.

Perhaps the biggest challenge to the village since the times of marauding Magyars in the 10th century was the neglect and disrepair of the Communist times. Deprived of any sort of repair over the period of more than fifty years it became almost totally ruined, with hollowed roofs, crumbling plaster and declining population. With virtually no one willing to take the responsibility for its future the castle was in danger of disappearing from the map of cultural and architectural heritage altogether.

Today

Winegut Pawis is situated in the former stables of the castle since 2007. The wine festival "Winzerfest" takes place there every July.