Museum Alte Burg Penzlin

About the museum

The Alte Burg on the edge of Penzlin was probably built around 1220, after German settlement of the region, and served the princes of Werle as a secondary residence. From 1501 it was the ancestral seat of the von Maltzahn family; from 1560 the cellars later known as the "Hexenkeller" (witches' cellars) were built. After the Thirty Years' War the complex fell into decay and was uninhabitable in the 18th century; in 1810 the family built a new castle above it. In 1941, the owning family sold the castle to the town, which later used it for housing and as a museum.

After extensive renovation starting in 1990, the castle has housed since 1994 a specialist museum on everyday magic and witch persecution in early modern Mecklenburg, where nearly 4,000 witch trials took place. On display are a torture cellar with replicas, a witch's dungeon built according to the rules of the "Hexenhammer" ("Witches' Hammer") and largely original, as well as the knights' hall with its Gothic ribbed vault and the black kitchen (Schwarzküche) with a 12-meter-high smoke hood.

One focus is the Penzlin witch trial against Benigna Schultzen, which lasted from 1699 to 1711 and is among the longest proceedings of its kind. An herb garden grows in the castle courtyard, and the museum offers its own programs for school classes and children's groups. The museum is run by the town.

Highlights

• Witch's dungeon and torture cellar
• Permanent exhibition on everyday magic and witch persecution in Mecklenburg
• Knights' hall with Gothic ribbed vault
• Black kitchen with 12-meter-high smoke hood
• Herb garden in the castle courtyard
• Open guided tours on weekends

Permanent exhibition

• Alltagsmagie und Hexenverfolgung in Mecklenburg – The permanent exhibition covers magic in everyday life and the legal persecution of witchcraft in early modern times, including the torture cellar and witch's dungeon.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Stadt Penzlin

Admission & discounts

Educational cards for socially disadvantaged families are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Owing to the historic room layout of the castle, the museum is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

For preschool, primary and secondary school students there are projects such as medieval cooking in the black kitchen, "Märchenhexen" ("fairy-tale witches"), and herb and bat programs. According to tourism portals, the castle courtyard has a witch-themed playground.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Alte Burg 1, 17217 Penzlin.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit