The Sorbian Tower

The Sorbian tower is one of the few structures left over from the old Ilburg whose first documented records date back to 961, which still stands today as Eilenburg's founding year. The Sorbian tower is Ilburg's only complete structure of significant size that is still intact. It was supposedly built in the 12th century at the highest point of the 220 x 150 m mount plateau and served as a lookout as well as a point of retreat. After two further castle keeps were constructed, most likely in the 13th century, the Sorbian tower lost its strategic significance and fell into disrepair. It was supposed to be torn down in the middle of the 19th century but some of Eilenburg's most dedicated citizens saved and preserved this prominent structure. In 1863 the 16 m high tower resumed its former uses and is still a popular look-out point today. It was reconstructed in 1997/98.