Burg Querfurt: The German Hollywood Castle

July 12, 2025, 3:04 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Burg Querfurt in Saxony-Anhalt boasts a history spanning over a thousand years and is currently the largest and oldest fortress along the 1,200-kilometer Romanesque Road. For more than 30 years, this venerable structure has also served as a popular filming location, even attracting Hollywood productions. Additionally, the castle is home to a genuine, mysterious knightly order.

High above the town of Querfurt in Saxony-Anhalt, a mighty, majestic fortress stands prominently visible. Its history can be traced back more than 1,000 years, yet it remains one of the best-preserved castles in central Germany. This has recently drawn the attention of filmmakers from Germany and even Hollywood. At Querfurt Castle, one feels transported directly back to the Middle Ages, making it a popular location for film shoots.

According to the official site of Querfurt Castle, it is the largest and oldest fortress along the so-called Romanesque Road, a tourist route of over 1,200 kilometers featuring landmarks throughout Germany. It was first mentioned in the mid-9th century but is likely much older. Since the 10th century, it served as the ancestral seat of the Noble Lords of Querfurt, a then-influential noble family related to the Saxon emperor.

A Popular Filming Location Since 1989

Its dimensions are astonishing: According to the website of the town of Querfurt, it spans 3.5 hectares. The far more famous Wartburg, where the reformer Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German, would fit seven times into this area. The castle’s landmarks are its three towers. Heavily contested during the Thirty Years’ War (1618 to 1648), the fortress changed hands several times in the following centuries. Today, it belongs to the Saalekreis district, providing it with a welcome financial boost.

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Since 1989, films have been shot at Querfurt Castle. The structure is especially popular for productions with historical backgrounds due to its authenticity. Silke Stachowiak, assistant for public relations, says in response to a TRAVELBOOK inquiry: “Querfurt Castle was discovered as an interesting filming location for the DEFA film ‘Light of Love’ as early as 1989.” Since then, ten more productions have followed, including some of genuine Hollywood caliber. In 2013, parts of the global bestseller “The Physician” were filmed here. The 2009 historical drama “Pope Joan” also featured internationally known stars.

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A Genuine Knightly Order

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“Querfurt Castle offers many different possibilities for filming both indoors and outdoors with its medieval atmosphere,” explains Stachowiak about the location’s popularity. It is also popular for children’s and fairy tale films, such as the 2021 production “The Robber Hotzenplotz.” In 2008, actor and director Til Schweiger shot his film “1½ Knights” here. But how much does it cost to rent an entire castle? “The arrangements for necessary filming permits, the use of castle areas, and the costs incurred are individually agreed upon for each shoot.”

Those who wish to visit Querfurt Castle themselves can do so from April to October, Tuesday through Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. From November to March, the castle is open on these days only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The entrance fee is six euros, reduced to four euros. For further prices, please refer to the official website. Within the complex, there is a castle and a farm museum, as well as the castle church. Regular events include readings, theater, and open-air cinema, to name just a few of the numerous activities. The Historical Costume Workshop is also worth seeing. Here, clothing is made for both the castle staff and specifically for film shoots.

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Since 2017, Querfurt Castle has also been the seat of a genuine, centuries-old knightly order. The “Ordre Equestre du Saint-Sauveur de Mont-Réal” was founded in 1118 by King Alfonso I of Aragon. It has existed continuously since then and has had a seat in Germany since 1975. The order uses its own premises here in consultation with the castle administration. But ordinary people can also rent the castle for conferences, events, or celebrations. There are special theme and project days for children.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.