While renovating Castle Moritzburg in Germany, a hidden cellar was uncovered, packed with rare champagnes and cognac. This discovery, made by Silvio Stelzer, a restaurant-owner who took over the castle in Saxony in 2007, is located around 150 km from Berlin. Surprisingly, Stelzer only stumbled upon the cellar recently.
The cellar, composed of six sections and partly submerged underground within the castle’s park, was stocked with wines and spirits in 1944 that were originally from Hitler’s cellars in Berlin. At that time, Berlin was facing heavy bombardment. Alongside the champagne and cognac, the cellar also held food and cigarettes. Additionally, there was a book from Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony, the castle’s previous owner who departed in 1971. The book revealed that in 1944, the Prince granted Hitler permission to use the castle’s cellars.
The exact amount and types of wines found haven’t been disclosed, and the cellar is now reserved for historians to study further. The fact that anything remained in the cellar after so many years is remarkable, considering the castle was occupied and looted by the Red Army in 1945.
During World War II, Hitler seized numerous wine cellars in both the Champagne and Cognac regions, stripping them of their finest wines and spirits. Despite being a non-drinker, he enjoyed offering these luxury items to his officers and esteemed guests as a form of hospitality and to make an impression.
In conclusion, the hidden cellar at Castle Moritzburg provides a fascinating glimpse into history, offering both a treasure trove for historians and a unique attraction for visitors.
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