in detail
The Lichtenburg Castle is located on the site where the former Antonian monastery once stood, in the town of Prettin on the Elbe, between the Luther City, Wittenberg, and Torgau. The castle experienced a quite diverse history. Until 1717, the castle was predominantly used as a residence for the widows of Saxon Electors and from 1812 to 1929 a penitentiary was established in the castle.
From 1933 to 1939, the castle functioned as one of the "early" concentration camps. Until 1937 only men were imprisoned there, but later it served for women, too. It contained mostly political prisoners, but also Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah`s Witnesses, and other people persecuted for racial reasons. Some of the prisoners included Friedrich Ebert (junior), Wilhelm Leuschner, Carlo Mierendorff, Max Abraham, Alfred Kantorowicz, Wolfgang Langhoff, Hans Lorbeer, Lotti Huber and Olga Benario-Prestes.
In 1937, the male prisoners were transferred to Buchenwald and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camps; in 1939, the female prisoners were brought to Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. After the prisoners had been removed, the castle served as an arsenal for the SS.
In 1965, a memorial site was established in the former concentration camp bunker, where the cells still existed in their original condition. The site was extended to include three exhibition rooms in 1974. The state district of Wittenberg currently manages the memorial museum.
1574-1582
Built as a residence for the widows of Saxon Electors.
1812-1929
Penitentiary.
1933-1939
Concentration camp.
1939-1945
Arsenal of the SS.
1945-1990
Used for agricultural purposes.
1965
Establishment of a memorial.
1974
Establishment of a district museum.
