Colditz Castle

Colditz Castle is a historic fortress above the town of Colditz in Saxony, Germany, renowned for its role as the high-security Allied officers’ POW camp Oflag IV-C during World War II.

The castle houses museum displays focused on prisoner life and the many escape attempts planned and executed there, with artefacts, documentation and guided tours. Visitors also circulate the castle courtyards, visit restored rooms and can opt to stay in the on-site youth hostel that uses part of the historic buildings.

The site has medieval origins as a fortress and later a princely residence; its most famous period was during 1939-1945 when it served as a high-security POW camp for Allied officers. After the war the complex was preserved and converted for public interpretation and accommodation.

Perched on a hill above the town of Colditz, the castle overlooks the surrounding Saxon countryside and the nearby course of the Zwickauer Mulde river; it is accessed from the town below.

• Oflag IV-C (WWII): During World War II the castle was used as Oflag IV-C, a high-security prisoner-of-war camp for captured Allied officers, and is famous for multiple escape attempts recorded in wartime histories.
• Museum and hostel: The site now houses a museum devoted to POW history and operates a youth hostel, allowing visitors to both learn about and stay within the castle complex.

What to See #

• Inner ward and keep: The inner castle area includes the keep and courtyards where reconstruction and museum displays recount the site's wartime history.
• Museum and exhibition areas: A museum and exhibition spaces present the history of the castle as Oflag IV-C and document Allied prisoner life and escape attempts during World War II.
• Youth hostel accommodation: A youth hostel occupies part of the castle complex and provides overnight accommodation for visitors in restored rooms.