The castle functions as a memorial site for the victims of the local witch hunts which persisted in the region long after they had ceased in other parts of Europe.
The basement level includes a reconstructed prison cell and torture chambers modeled after original 17th-century protocols.
The masonry of the main 'Steinhaus' reflects Gothic construction techniques typical of Mecklenburg fortifications.
The museum collection includes rare documents detailing the judicial proceedings against accused witches in the 17th century.
The castle transitioned from a defensive fortification to a residential manor for the noble Maltzan family before its conversion into a museum.
The Old Castle (Alte Burg) in Penzlin is a 13th-century residential fortress known primarily for its extensive museum of late medieval witchcraft and occult history. It serves as the Cultural History Museum for the Penzliner Land region. The site features a restored keep, a vaulted cellar, and a late-medieval residential building known as the 'Steinhaus'. Exhibits focus on the trials and persecution of witches in the region, alongside regional folk traditions and artifacts from the 16th and 17th centuries. The castle grounds were constructed by the lords of Maltzan and retain elements of their defensive past. Visitors can explore both the historical living quarters and the stark, purpose-built torture chambers integrated into the museum's exhibition space. The structure is situated in the Mecklenburg Lake District, maintaining its original defensive layout.
The view of the red-brick facade and the high gables from the inner courtyard.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding castle park.
Allocate extra time to read the detailed judicial transcripts displayed in the witchcraft exhibit, as they provide the context for the artifacts.
The building features narrow stone stairs and uneven floor surfaces; wear flat, supportive footwear.
Do not expect a light-hearted or purely architectural tour, as the permanent exhibition contains graphic depictions of judicial torture.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
