Colditz Castle

Colditz Castle in Saxony is a Renaissance castle on a porphyry cliff above the town of Colditz, and one of the most famous prisoner-of-war sites of World War II. From 1939 to 1945 it served as Oflag IV-C, a camp for Allied officers whose escape attempts became legend through Pat Reid's book "The Colditz Story" and later films and series. Today it is a museum with a permanent exhibition, an augmented-reality tablet guide and English-language tours, and it makes a rewarding day trip from Leipzig.

Why Colditz matters

The castle grew from a medieval stronghold first mentioned in 1046. The Wettin dynasty took it over in 1404, and Elector Frederick the Wise rebuilt it in early Renaissance style around 1520. In the 19th and 20th centuries it served as a workhouse (1803), an asylum (1829) and a welfare institution (1926). A Nazi "protective custody" camp was housed here in 1933 and 1934, and a care home for patients in 1938 and 1939, many of whom died there. From 1939 to 1945 it held Allied officer prisoners. American troops liberated the camp on April 16, 1945. The building then served as a hospital from 1946 to 1996. It has belonged to Saxony's state castle administration since 2003, and the museum opened in 2024.

What to see

The permanent exhibition covers the castle's history, with a focus on the wartime escape attempts, the Renaissance period and its time as a hospital. The HistoPad tablet, included in your ticket, adds animations and reconstructions in unrenovated "lost place" rooms. A special exhibition, "Capa in Colditz", runs from March 1 to November 30, 2026. The official site lists guided tours in English called "Legendary Escapes", including a day ticket with HistoPad. Two dates were announced for October 12 and 14, 2026.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, until November 1: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In November hours are shorter, with closing days on Monday and, after November 8, on Tuesday. From December until about mid-March 2027 the museum is closed to individual visitors. Last admission is 90 minutes before closing. Adults pay 12 euros including the HistoPad, reduced tickets are 10 euros, and children aged 6 to 16 pay 4.50 euros. Combination tickets with Rochlitz Castle (17 euros) and Gnandstein Castle (14 euros) are valid for three days. Buy tickets at the museum desk or in the online shop of Saxony's castle administration.

How to get there

Colditz is 53 kilometers from Leipzig (via the B 176 and A 72), 55 kilometers from Chemnitz and 78 kilometers from Dresden. By car, a large free car park sits at Wettiner Ring, less than a ten-minute walk away. Public transport is by bus from nearby train stations, for example bus 613 from Bad Lausick or bus 619 from Grimma. Get off at the stop "Sportplatz", about ten minutes on foot from the castle. Check Deutsche Bahn and regional bus timetables before you travel.

Accessibility and dogs

The castle is not fully step-free. Exhibition rooms have no lifts, but the museum shop and two courtyards are step-free, and the HistoPad has a wheelchair mode. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs with proof. Food and drink are not permitted in exhibition rooms.