Trip to Leipzig with the Anglo-German Family History Society
May 2003 - Schloss Colditz

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Colditz trip

Saturday 10th May 2003

We left at 0844 for Colditz, driving past the gross memorial to the Battle of Leipzig & through several quite tidy villages. From the glance we managed to get, the centre of Colditz looked quite charming but the coach could not get very close to the castle because the Germans have only recently discovered that it is a tourist attraction. The castle is being renovated (it certainly needs it) but will not look so gloomy when it is finished. Consequently, it is only partially open but the guide was very good. She showed us the French tunnel under the chapel & we were staggered at the rock they managed to get through but it was discovered when the ceiling of their dorm fell in under the weight of stored rock! The museum had German uniforms that the prisoners had made for escapes that didn't come off, Red Cross food tins and excellent forged papers.

Approaching the ornate gateway

From the other side

The walls right of the gate

The Outer Courtyard
The Kommendatur

Gate between the courtyards

The Inner (prisoners) Courtyard, restored

The French Tunnel

Bag used to move rocks

Chapel - tunnel underneath

Left: The prisoners' view of Colditz village across the river

Right: A Medieval painting of the castle, somewhat romanticised

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Contact: Ken Baldry at 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY +44(0)20 7359 6294 or e-mail him
URL: http://www.art-science.com/Tourism/AGFHS_trips/Leipzig/colditz.html
© 2003 Ken Baldry. All rights reserved. Last revised 20/5/2003