Dornburg (map) is a small town in central Germany approximately 250km southwest of Berlin. I’d not heard of the town before until I spotted it in my itinerary to visit Bauhaus sites in Germany – it houses the first Bauhaus ceramics workshop (founded in 1920) which is still operational till this day. I arrived in Dornburg and found a charming town, perched on a hill with lovely views across the Saale valley. The town is filled with rows of colourful houses and at its edge are three distinct castles which overlook the valley. Despite its small size, there’s quite a bit to see in Dornburg and the panoramic views from the castles’ gardens are just stunning. Scroll down to check out what to see in Dornburg, from the houses to the castles and the Bauhaus ceramics workshop.

What to see on a stroll around Dornburg

Dornburg can trace its history to around the 10th century. Thanks to its strategic location atop a hill overlooking the Saale River, Dornburg became the site of numerous castles which were (re)built through the centuries.

The Grand-Ducal castles of Dornburg

Today, there are three grand-ducal castles which can be visited: Altes Schloss (Old Castle), Neues Schloss or Rokokoschloss (built in Rococo style in the 18th century) and the Renaissanceschloss (17th century). The three castles are connected by beautiful gardens with a promenade. From the promenade, there are gorgeous views across the valley as well as the vine-covered slopes.

Views from the castle promenade

Bauhaus ceramics workshop

Across from the Rokokoschloss, you’ll find the Bauhaus ceramics workshop which you can visit. Founded in 1920 by Walter Gropius (founder of the Bauhaus movement) and Max Krehan, this workshop is housed in the castle’s old stables and still produces ceramics till this day.

Colourful Dornburg houses

From here, stroll towards the Markt (market square) in the town centre. You’ll find the St. Jacobs church on one end and the Town Hall (Rathaus) at the other end. In between, you’ll quickly notice the colourful houses that line the square. I loved the bright green and orange houses – they looked so cheery! As I strolled around Dornburg, I found more colourful houses and I had to remind myself that I was, in fact, in central Germany and not in some Mediterranean town!

There are various cafés and restaurants in the old town where you can have a meal or a drink, such as the Ratskeller (in the Rathaus) or the Hartmut Veit Gaststätte & Pension (where you can have a hearty German meal).

If you happen to be in this part of Germany, visiting Jena, Weimar, Erfurt or perhaps Dresden, plan a stop in Dornburg for a leisurely stroll to see its beautiful castles and cheery houses.

Read more Velvet Escape posts on Germany or reasons to visit Germany. A selection:

• Street art in Germany
• A weekend in Berlin
• History and wine in Rheingau
• Things to do in Hamburg
• The treasures of Passau
• Beer-tasting at the world’s oldest monastic brewery

Note: my trip to Germany was made possible by the German National Tourist Board. As always, all opinions expressed above are mine, and mine only.