Publikationen

Transcription

Publikationen

S C H L O E S S E R L A N D S AC H S E N .
O L D S P L E N D O R I N N E W G L O R Y.
Fascination Semperoper
C HRI ST I AN T HI E L E MAN N
P R I N C I PAL C O N DU CTO R O F STAAT S KAPE LLE DRESDEN
Information and tickets
T +49 351 49 11 705
bestellung@semperoper.de
semperoper.de
Old splendor in new glory
Augustus the Strong grants an audience _____________
New thinking - new forms
3
Elector Augustus presents ________________________
25
Augustusburg Castle / Klaffenbach Castle _____________ 26 / 27
Solid walls and sturdy towers
Dresden Residential Castle ________________________ 28 / 29
Margrave Otto the Rich recounts __________________
7
Altzella Monastery Park / Mildenstein Castle __________
8/9
Stolpen Castle _________________________________ 10 / 11
Gnandstein Castle / Scharfenstein Castle _____________ 12 / 13
Castles become palaces
Freudenstein Castle / Hartenfels Castle ______________ 30 / 31
Wildenfels Castle / Hinterglauchau Castle ____________ 32 / 33
Wildeck Castle / Dresden Fortress __________________ 34 / 35
Between Romanticism
and industrialization
Prince Hermann Pueckler-Muskau remembers ________
63
Prince Pueckler Park Bad Muskau / Frohburg Castle_____ 64 / 65
Voigtsberg Castle / Royal Grounds Bad Elster __________ 66 / 67
Lodge royally
Colditz Castle _________________________________ 36 / 37
Katharina Luther, née von Bora, invites _____________
69
Lauenstein Castle / Klippenstein Castle ______________ 38 / 39
Nimbschen Monastery / Hohnstein Castle ____________ 70 / 71
Koenigstein Fortress / Nossen Castle_________________ 42 / 43
Boarding House »Zur Königlichen Ausspanne« /
Dresden-Pillnitz Castle Hotel ______________________ 72 / 73
Duchess Elisabeth von Rochlitz remembers __________
15
The splendor of Baroque and Rococo
Hotel Gaussig House / Purschenstein Castle Hotel _____ 76 / 77
Rochlitz Castle / Kriebstein Castle __________________ 16 / 17
Weesenstein Castle ______________________________ 18 / 19
Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle / Schlettau Castle ________ 20 / 21
Schoenfels Castle _______________________________
Museum
AudioGuide
22
Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann presents ____________
45
Pillnitz Castle and Park / Wackerbarth Castle __________ 48 / 49
The Grand Garden of Dresden / The Dresden Zwinger __ 50 / 51
Rammenau Baroque Castle / Zabeltitz Baroque Garden __ 54 / 55
schloesserlandPASS _____________________________
78
Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden / Wolkenburg Castle ______ 56 / 57
How to get to Saxony ____________________________
79
Moritzburg Castle / Moritzburg Little Pheasant Castle ___ 58 / 59
Editorial details ________________________________
80
Delitzsch Baroque Castle / Lichtenwalde Castle and Park __ 60 / 61
Map of Saxony _________________________________
82
App with AudioGuide
Accomodation
schloesserlandPASS discounts
www.schloesserland-sachsen.de
»Get your
d
Schloesserlan
App
today!«
Embark
on a discovery tour
of the gardens
of kings!
Download App
Master gardeners, trick fountain artists and kings report in an
entertaining way of the creation of their gardens, accompanied
by 13-year-old blogger Emma. Follow them through the eras of
landscaping history.
Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden
The Schloesserland App for iOS and Android includes self-guided
audio tours, site maps and much more information on:
ÝÛ Altzella Monastery Park
ÝÛ Royal Grounds Bad Elster
ÝÛ Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden
ÝÛ Lichtenwalde Castle and Park
ÝÛ Pillnitz Castle and Park
For further information go to
/schloesserland.sachsen
Old splendor in new glory
»Be warmly welcomed to Schloesserland Sachsen! For more than eight hundred years, the land which once had
emerged from the March of Meissen was ruled by members of my dynasty. They left magnificent buildings everywhere – evidence of their power and wealth, but also testimony to joie de vivre and love of the arts. As margraves,
dukes, electors and kings of the House of Wettin they once contributed to what Saxony represents today: the
most popular destination in Germany for culture-loving tourists. Of course, it was not just them – everywhere in
the country, Saxon nobles strived to emulate their idol, thus generating a density of gorgeous estates that is
unique in the world. Many of them were designed by the best architects of their time. Master builders, such as
Arnold von Westfalen, Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann and Johann Christoph Knoeffel, created buildings which
met the highest standards of the time and which today continue to attract as much admiration as ever. They have
been carefully restored and are now open to visitors from near and far as museums, cultural sites or hotels.
With every step you take you will encounter outstanding testimonies to Saxon creativity: medieval
castles and monasteries, proud Renaissance palaces, pompous Baroque residences, extensive gardens
and parks and fantastic neo-style buildings of the 19th century. Indulge in the way of life of
RT
I
K
S
E
»TH
R«
E
S
A
H
C
the nobles of bygone times and allow yourself to be enchanted by an atmosphere of exclusivity.
Listen to a wealth of anecdotes about our rich history, which are due in no small part to me.«
Elector Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, King Augustus II of Poland,
also known as »Augustus the Strong« (1670 – 1733)
Movie »THE
S
KI
RT
CHASER«
3
Moritzburg Castle
Altzella Monastery Park
Solid
walls and
sturdy towers
»In my time, the March of Meissen started to blossom. I had forests chopped down, land turned into arable fields
and counties founded. Towns, such as Leipzig and Freiberg, emerged. Proud, fortified castles secured the new settlements and trading routes. Some of them have been preserved so very well that still today one might expect the castle
gates to open and the lord of the castle and his companions on their stallions to sweep over the drawbridge. Bowers
and donjons, knights’ halls, castle chapels and gloomy dungeons invite you to embark on a fascinating trip into
medieval times. The special atmosphere of those times continues to greet visitors to the castles of Mildenstein,
Gnandstein and Scharfenstein even today. Apart from the castles, monasteries were set up as centers of spiritual
life. They steadily developed into centers of culture and education, as for example, the Cistercian abbeys of Buch
and Altzella. The latter did not only become famous as the burial site of Meissen margraves, but also
for its extensive library which ranked among the most important ones in the Empire. However,
the reason why the sobriquet »the Rich« was added to my name after my death has less to
»THE
Y
MONE
«
RAKER
do with gaining knowledge than with acquiring a hoard of silver treasures. Rich finds of
this noble metal were first discovered in the densely wooded mountains nearby the
monastery in 1168. It precipitated a »Berggeschrey« (mining frenzy), attracting scores of
pitmen and miners, charcoal burners and traders to Saxony. I gave every man who was
up to it the rights to mine in the »Ore Mountains«. Ambitions were spurred – and the
»Bergzehnte« or mining duty that was owed to me filled my treasury thoroughly …«
Movie »THE
Margrave Otto the Rich (1125 – 1190)
M
ON
EY-RAKER«
7
ALTZELLA MONASTERY PARK
The heritage of
the Cistercians
W
hen the waves of Reformation swept over
the echo of the monks and their activities. Such was
the bricks of the monastery were removed to be used
Saxony the German princes who had converted
also the case in Altzella, after the Saxon sovereign, Prince
elsewhere, while valuable books from the library, numbe-
to the Lutheran faith drove the monks out of their
Henry the Pious, had ordered the secularization of the
ring well over a thousand, were passed on to the Uni-
monasteries. There remained ruined monastery grounds,
Cistercian monastery there. The grounds where the
versity of Leipzig. However, since Altzella was the
in which only those interested in history could perceive
monks had lived and worked since 1175 fell into ruin,
cemetery of the noble Wettin family, the royal court in
Dresden never ceased to be interested in the site. Here,
in 1787, Elector August III erected a mausoleum in
early neoclassicistic style, while his garden architect
Johann Friedrich Huebler surrounded the white burial
place with a landscape park in the style of the Romantic period. The manmade landscape, so natural in its
appearance, with its old pointed arches, seemingly
fixed gables and broken pillars quickly attracted
famous names of the German art world of the time,
Romanesque Refectorium
including Caspar David Friedrich and Ludwig
Richter, who found inspiration galore in Altzella. Anybody attracted to the soft splendor of the old
monastery grounds is certain to find the same fascination that drew those Romantics before them.
The stepped Romanesque portal to the monastery
eo
8
»Al t
te r
Vi d
yP
ar k«
Mausoleum
z e lla M
s
ona
Klosterpark Altzella | Zellaer Straße 10 | 01683 Nossen | Phone +49 35242 50450 | altzella@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.kloster-altzella.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 14, exit Nossen-Nord or Nossen-Süd, via Highway A 4, exit Siebenlehn | BY BUS Line 424 from Dresden to Altzella
MILDENSTEIN CASTLE
A
symbol of power
carved in stone
The castle complex towering high above the Freiberger Mulde River
Attic of the outer bailey, 14th century
he mighty castle of Mildenstein is one of the
T
granary, the keep and the Romanesque castle chapel
for one day. The exhibition provides sometimes drastic
oldest in Saxony; its name first appeared in a
with its three-winged altar are outstanding, as are the
insights into medieval judiciary and regulation.
document in 1046. The Salier kings held court here,
medieval knights’ halls. The sheer size of the castle
»Frieder Berg«, an unusual witness, has been revived
followed by the Staufer kings under Emperor Barbarossa
complex allows it to be used in many ways: exhibitions
especially for children: the keep, the longest serving
who undertook a large-scale extension, and later the
and concerts are held throughout the year. Delicacies
building of the castle, chats about the events it wit-
Wettin margraves under whom Mildenstein became a
that were then served to the elector in festively lit halls
nessed during almost 1,000 years of history.
court of law and a notorious prison. The instruments of
are still served by stewards and pages on St Martin’s
torture and the many bolted and barred doors behind the
Day. The rustic knights’ halls can also be used for pri-
meter-thick walls still send a shiver down the visitors’
vate festivities. Furthermore, Mildenstein surrenders to
spines. Architecturally, the barrel vaulting of the Gothic
those intending to enter into wedlock to rule the castle
Burg Mildenstein | Burglehn 6 | 04703 Leisnig | Phone +49 34321 62560 | mildenstein@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.burg-mildenstein.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 14, exit Leisnig to town center | BY RAIL from Leipzig, Chemnitz or Dresden to Leisnig
9
Stolpen Castle
STOLPEN CASTLE
Fateful years
of a mistress
The castle and town of Stolpen
A
Johannis Tower, Countess Cosel’s parlor
fortress of roughly cut timbers is said to have
fame by war and catastrophes, but instead by intrigues
was to become a victim of her princely bedmate. The
stood here since at least 1100, where today the
at the Saxon court, to which Stolpen Castle ows its
stone on which the castle is built is as hard as the fate
castle of Stolpen greets its visitors. The castle was first
most famous and lasting resident. For almost half a
suffered by Countess Cosel. Basalt, which forms the
mentioned in documents in the year 1222. The follo-
century, until her death in 1765, Anna Constantia
base of the fortress, was first described by scientists in
wing eight hundred years saw much light but even more
Countess von Cosel was to remain banished behind its
Stolpen. The characteristic stone of the castle mountain,
shadow, for Stolpen was to suffer greatly in the storms
walls. This cheerful, beautiful and clever woman, long-
as well as the deepest, unsupported basalt well in the
of European feuds. Hussites, Swedes, Prussians and
time mistress of Augustus the Strong and mother of
world, carry the status of a national geotope.
French were to leave scars on the fortress, just as plague
three of his children, had made enemies due to her
and fire did, too. But the castle was not to achieve
apparent interference in political affairs and eventually
Burg Stolpen | Schlossstraße 10 | 01833 Stolpen | Phone +49 35973 23410 | stolpen@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.burg-stolpen.de
eo
the way is signposted from the »Bastei« | BY BUS from Dresden to Stolpen, bus stop Schützenhausstraße | BY RAIL rail from Pirna to Stolpen, then about 30 minutes walk
Vi d
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Ottendorf-Okrilla via Radeberg to Stolpen via Federal Road B 6 Dresden – Bischofswerda, then signposted; from Saxon Switzerland
»St
o l pe n C astl e«
11
GNANDSTEIN CASTLE
A picture
T
book castle
he best preserved Romanesque fortification in
seem to be »hermits« in the sense of being closely con-
castle to anyone else. This may be the reason why,
Saxony rises near the »potters’ town« of Kohren-
nected to this place far off the world’s hustle and bustle,
despite numerous conversions and extensions, it ranks
Sahlis. The lords of the castle came from old Meissen
since the family continually inhabited Gnandstein from
among the unique group of German knights’ castles
nobility, the family von Einsiedel (the name literally
the late 14th century until the end of World War II,
still invoking the spirit of long-gone ages. The donjon,
meaning »hermit«). Indeed did the lords of the castle
without ever having had to surrender the keys of the
the bailey, the battlements, shielding walls, the palace:
the fortress above the small Wyhra River is a dream
come true for all those fascinated by the medieval period. Climb the donjon, which was ultimate refuge for
the castle’s inhabitants in times of war. Or visit the late
Gothic chapel with its splendid wood-carved altars
and you can feel as if transported back to those unsettled times when Saxony was in the hands of armored
warriors. Furthermore, befitting the medieval aura of
Gnandstein, there is an old legend of a hidden treasure
waiting to be found in the grounds of the fortress. Visitors to the Romanesque defense castle can still return
home feeling enriched without having discovered gold
or precious gems, as the exhibition of the »Gross Col-
Castle Chapel
lection« allows them to admire about four hundred
precious exhibits collected over seven centuries.
The castle complex
V
id e
12
Ca
s tle
«
Burg Gnandstein | Burgstraße 3 | 04655 Kohren-Sahlis | Phone +49 34344 61309 | gnandstein@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.museum-burg-gnandstein.de
o »G n d stein
an
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4 to Highway Junction Kreuz Chemnitz, continue along Highway A 72 direction Leipzig, exit Penig, continue along Federal Road B 95
direction Leipzig, then signposted | BY RAIL from Leipzig, Chemnitz to Gaithain; then continue with the bus to Kohren-Sahlis
SCHARFENSTEIN CASTLE
Arts
and Crafts
At the Christmas and Toy Museum
F
or centuries the Ore Mountains had lived from
the precious stone for which they had once been
named – especially the silver mines had made this picturesque mountain range a prosperous region. But when
the faceworkers in the sixteenth century started to bring
a special treasure of folk art objects and toys from all
about the region and be entertained by the exhibitions
even less white ore out of the mines, the people of the
over the Ore Mountains. Scharfenstein is widely known
on folk art traditions, castle history as well as by Karl
Ore Mountains had to look for new sources of income.
as the »Family and Adventure Castle« which offers a
Stuelpner’s history. So anybody wanting to come as
Therefore, what previously had been a way of passing
hands-on historical experience to live and learn by.
near as possible to such items as carved wooden ani-
the long winter nights, became their way of earning
Fairy tale weekends, carving, painting and crafting
mals, the German incense smoker, the Christmas arch
their daily bread: the production of wooden figures and
workshops for children are among the castle attrac-
or the Christmas pyramid, should conquer Scharfen-
Christmas decorations. It is possible to see the rich fruits
tions. Also popular with the youngsters are scavenger
stein Castle as soon as possible!
of this craft tradition at Scharfenstein Castle. This
hunts with Karl Stuelpner, »the Robin Hood of the
800-year-old castle possesses the »Martin Collection«,
The castle complex
Ore Mountains«. Adults, too, can learn something
Burg Scharfenstein | Schlossberg 1 | 09430 Drehbach, OT Scharfenstein | Phone +49 3725 70720 | scharfenstein@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.die-sehenswerten-drei.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Federal Road B 174, second exit in Zschopau | BY RAIL Chemnitz – Bärenstein, get off at Scharfenstein
13
Rochlitz Castle
Castles become
palaces
»As the widow of Duke John of Saxony, I resided in Rochlitz for ten years. Much to the dismay of my father-in-law,
Duke George, who fiercely opposed Luther, I supported the Reformation in my dominion. But when the religious
war started, in which even brothers and relatives fought each other, I tried to mediate. Nevertheless my heart beat
for the Protestant side. Before my time in Rochlitz, the architecture in Central Germany was in full bloom
already. This lent my residence special splendor, since it was here where renowned master builder Arnold von
Westfalen tried out completely new forms and possibilities in building. High and wide windows ending in pointed
arches and resembling gathered curtains became his trademark. This shape gave them their name: »arched curtain
windows«. They are not only found at Rochlitz, but also at Kriebstein and Meissen
Albrechtsburg Castle, which is deemed to be Arnold’s masterpiece. That is also
where a second invention of his gained full recognition: the cellular vault, an
various groundplans in a wide range of forms. Slowly, along with these
novelties and the changing requirements of the property owners, the
frugal castles began to give way to a kind of architecture that turned away
from the idea of defense in order to focus on representation: the palace.«
Mov
FR
ie »THE
Elisabeth von Rochlitz (1502 –1557)
»THE
NE
I
L
T
N
FRO
«
T
S
I
N
I
FEM
O
NT
IS
LINE FEMIN
T«
entirely new technique of ceiling design. It was capable of spanning most
15
ROCHLITZ CASTLE
Fat, One-Eyed, Revolutionary
n the 10th century, this fortress was part of the
I
appear like a fortified cathedral. Whoever comes to vis-
of the history of the outpost above the Zwickauer
defense of the hard-won German victory over the
it this area can still feel the historic turbulence which
Mulde River – even today it still bears the scars of shots
West Slavs. Today, more than a millennium later, the
was part of the German settlement drive to the east dur-
from the Thirty Years’ War. However, there is also a
Rochlitz towers »Light Jupe« and »Dark Jupe« still rise
ing the High Middle Ages. Later emperors, kings and
brighter side to the history of Rochlitz Castle, especial-
over the Zwickauer Mulde River and have the castle
electors held court here. Wars and sieges were also part
ly thanks to three of the Wettins. Dedo von Groitzsch
had the impenetrable forests cleared and encouraged
the settlement of the lands around Rochlitz, while Margrave Wilhelm the One-eyed and later the Electors
Ernest and Albert had the defense castle rebuilt as a residential palace. Duchess Elisabeth von Sachsen dedicated herself to the Reformation and attempted to be a
The castle at the Mulde River
negotiator between the two sides in the Schmalkaldic
War (1546-1547). Each generation of occupiers of the
palace left their stamp on it, and inside there are
opened interactive exhibition thrills visitors both young
numerous architectural gems waiting to be discovered.
and old with the history of the »long forgotten Wet-
Anybody who likes to be transported back into history
tins«. The castle has also earned reputation by its excit-
will enjoy the Gothic windows, ornamented cruciform
ing and highly entertaining guided tours during which
vaults, defensive passages, dungeons, the large court
one can experience at close range how people lived
kitchen and the torture chamber. A special attraction is
centuries ago.
the lovingly restored Princes’ House with its impressive state rooms, such as the 300-m2 dining hall, for
example. After almost 20 years of restoration, a newly
The Renaissance Hall in the castle’s Princes’ House
Vid
16
as
tl e«
Schloss Rochlitz | Sörnziger Weg 1 | 09306 Rochlitz | Phone +49 3737 492310 | rochlitz@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.schloss-rochlitz.de
eo » Roc hlitz C
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Federal Higway A 72, exit Rochlitz, continue along Federal Road B 175, and via Highway A 14, exit Döbeln Nord,
follow Federal Roads B 169 and B 175 | BY RAIL/BUS from Geithain, Narsdorf, Mittweida, Erlau by bus to Rochlitz
KRIEBSTEIN CASTLE
A dream of a
knight’s castle
was built. The unique residential tower, 147 feet tall and
with six dormer windows, was home to the first owner
Dietrich von Beerwalde over 600 years ago. It contains
the richly decorated Kriebstein Room from about 1423.
Just as unique are the illusionist murals in the 15thcentury treasure vault, the scenes depicting the Virgin
Mary in the 1410 chapel and, of course, the Alexius
Inside the Castle Chapel
R
Altar. In 1986 a treasure was discovered in the chimney
aftsmen used to cross themselves when they
of the living room, the jewels of which are now on dis-
rea ched the steep rock of the ochre castle of
play in the treasure vault. A varied program of events
Kriebstein, from here on the Zschopau River was rea-
and cultural highlights, such as a medieval festival, a
sonably tame and the countryside safe, at least in times
»fairytale castle« event, rock concerts, stylish knights’
of peace. The steepest road in Saxony now leads up the
banquets and spine-chillingly mysterious tours of the
granulite rock, on top of which the late Gothic jewel
ancient walls are held here on this steep rock.
The castle
Burg Kriebstein | 09648 Kriebstein | Phone +49 34327 9520 I kriebstein@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.burg-kriebstein.eu
Vi d e
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Federal Higway A 4, exit Mittweida or Hainichen, follow the touristic signposting to the Talsperre Kriebstein/Burg Kriebstein;
»K
o
via Highway A 14, exit Döbeln-Nord direction Waldheim | BY RAIL Berlin – Chemnitz, get off at Waldheim Station
r ieb
stei n Cas t
l e«
17
Weesenstein Castle
WEESENSTEIN CASTLE
pearl in
crown
A
Saxony’s
The Castle Chapel
ike a pearl, Weesenstein grew layer by layer. The
L
translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy before he became
where even the windows are often nothing more than
castle, which has stood over the Mueglitz Valley
king of Saxony. Today visitors can discover the nooks
an illusion, for every third is only a painting. In short:
for nearly seven hundred years, has often been partly
and crannies of this network of staircases. On the fifth
Whoever enjoys mazes and the unexpected will find
demolished and rebuilt according to prevailing con-
floor, they come across a horse stable while the noble
adventure enough in the peculiar residence of King
temporary tastes, which is why it shows varied stylistic
chambers from the 18th and 19th century, with their
John. Afterwards, a walk in the palace park, a visit to
elements from the Gothic to the Classicist periods.
precious wall coverings, can be found one floor below
the restaurant »Königliche Schlossküche« or a tankard
Thus, a curiosity among Saxon palaces arise; it grew
the cellar. The »Monk’s Way« is said to be haunted by the
of good »Weesenstein Schlossbräu« – a traditional beer
downwards into the valley over the centuries, and
lost ghost of a former palace resident. Perhaps it is the
which originates from the 16th century – guarantees a
occasionally was too much for its owners. Here, in his
illusion-filled façade paintings which prevent him from
most enjoyable recovery.
favorite residence, the gifted Prince John worked on his
finding peace in this confusion – in this unusual palace
The Leather-Tapestry Hall
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Federal Higway A 17, exit Pirna, further along towards Glashütte or via Federal Road B 172 to Heidenau or Pirna, then continue towards Altenberg
Vi de o
Schloss Weesenstein | Am Schlossberg 1 | 01809 Müglitztal | Phone +49 35027 6260 | weesenstein@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.schloss-weesenstein.de
We
tle
«
»
BY CITY RAIL Dresden – Schöna, get off at Heidenau, then by »Müglitztalbahn« railway to Weesenstein | BY BUS Heidenau-Glashütte, get off at the Weesenstein bus stop
ese
ns te i n Ca s
19
MEISSEN ALBRECHTSBURG CASTLE
Meissen with the castle hill at night: Albrechtsburg Castle with the Cathedral and the Local Court
along its side three waters flow?« – Thus goes
an old German rhyme. The solution to the riddle is
Trendsetter
lbr
Movie »A
»W
here is the hill on which three castles grow,
ec
hts
burg Meissen«
since 1471
View in the Boettger room
breathed into the castle situated above the Elbe River.
With the »White Gold« produced in Meissen, its tri-
»Meissen«. Here, where the castle hill is surrounded by
Europe, which steadily gained in power. The fortifica-
tins as a symbol of their power to be seen from afar – a
umphant march through Europe began. Impressive
the rivers Elbe, Triebisch and Meisa, a wooden fortifi-
tion was soon replaced by a castle built of stone that
masterly piece of architecture whose bold architectural
exhibits in the castle rooms, displayed in a modern
cation was built in 929, high above the gloomy forests
henceforth stood out as a solitary landmark of mun-
solutions and design still impress visitors today. How-
interactive style, remind us of this stroke of occidental
in the eastern-most parts of the then still young Holy
dane power sending out impulses far beyond the bor-
ever, after centuries of blossoming, the place remained
inventive genius. In every corner, visitors will find a real
Roman Empire. It was to become the cradle of Saxony –
ders of the March of Meissen. So it was here that,
unused for a long time. It was not until Augustus the
picture book of Saxon history, which time and again
the place from where, for centuries to come, the princes’
supervised by master builder Arnold von Westfalen,
Strong decreed that the first European porcelain manu-
brings the fascination of architecture, power and porce-
dynasty of the Wettins ruled the land in the heart of
Germany’s first palace building was erected by the Wet-
factory move into the building that new life was
lain in Germany’s oldest palace back to life.
Albrechtsburg Meissen | Domplatz 1 | 01662 Meißen | Phone +49 3521 47070 | albrechtsburg@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.albrechtsburg-meissen.de | DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4,
exit Siebenlehn, further along Federal Road B 101 up to Meißen; via Highway A 13, exit Radeburg; via Highway A 14, exit Nossen-Ost; via Federal Road B 6 from Dresden
to Meißen | BY BOAT by Elbe River steamboats up to the Meißen jetty | BY CITY RAIL S 1 to Meissen Station | By sightseeing tour bus between the Porcelain Manufactory, the Old Town and the Castle Hill
20
SCHLETTAU CASTLE
An enchanting
family castle
The Knights’ Hall
hoever loves the magic of life, should visit
W
resque mixture of styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque
medieval corridors with their corners and bays offer
Schlettau Castle with their children. This
and neo-Gothic – magical moments are normal in this
the visitor »intelligent« entertainment: ghost nights take
small 14th century palace, which had to watch over
ambitious fox’s den. As if in a set of pictures, you can pass
place here quite often, as do jousting events and monks’
the historic salt road near Annaberg, has been a manor
through the herbal liquor cellar, dark dungeons, the
banquets. Because of the careful redevelopment of the
house, abbot’s residence, hunting lodge, and cotton mill
Knight’s Hall, and come to see spinning wheels in opera-
old walls it is no surprise that the magical Schlettau
in its time. The interior of this curiosity is accordingly
tion, or a gallery of paintings from the Ore Mountains
Castle has, been designated as especially suitable for
colorful and full of crooks and crannies, with its pictu-
in the forest room with its animal trophies. Even the
family outings since 2005.
Schlettau Castle
Förderverein Schloß Schlettau e. V. | Schlossplatz 8 | 09487 Schlettau | Phone +49 3733 66019 | info@schloss-schlettau.de | www.schloss-schlettau.de
DIRECTION | BY CAR Highway A 72 Stollberg-West Exit, direction Annaberg-Buchholz via Zwönitz to Scheibenberg, then via Route B101 to Schlettau
21
SCHOENFELS CASTLE
Of
knights, bailiffs and the Wettins
hose who would like to see an unspoilt medieval
T
1200 when colonizers opened up new territories for
fortification, will find it at Schoenfels Castle.
settlement in the later Pleissenland area. In the 13th
Seldom, the typical setup of a castle like this, with a
century, Schoenfels was under the rule of bailiffs,
wall and moat running all round, with an outer bailey,
noble families who, on behalf of the emperor, gov-
a lower castle and the core castle, has been preserved in
erned and held court in the Vogtland [Vogt lit. bailiff ]
such completeness and genuineness over the centuries.
region, which was named after them. But they eventu-
The defiant building was founded presumably around
ally lost their power to the Wettins in 1398, who then,
in their turn, enfeoffed noble lords with the Schoenfels
dominion. Today’s appearance of the castle interior
was most strongly influenced by the Lords von Weissenbach, who resided at Schoenfels from 1459 to
1586. The gentry, in its time, claimed higher standards
in modern conveniences and enhanced the old buildings. To the outside, the fortified character of the cas-
Schoenfels Castle
tle was maintained; the interior, however, became
could be heated and created a pleasant atmosphere,
enchanting little organ with its wooden pipework as
more comfortable. Therefore, from about 1480, a new
even during winter time. At the same time, a castle
well as the lavishly decorated pulpit originate form the
wing was attached to the northwest of the castle. It also
chapel was set up, built of the remainder of a tower
time of the Baroque. A round tour of Schoenfels Cas-
included a bower that has largely been preserved in its
gate of the lower bailey. The winged altar in this late-
tle conveys fascinating impressions of the living condi-
original state. It was built of painted planks of timber,
Gothic sacred space shows Renaissance forms; the
tions of those who used to inhabit it.
Late Gothic Bower
V
ide
22
Ca
s tle
«
Museum Burg Schönfels | Burgstraße 34 | 08115 Lichtentanne | Phone +49 37600 2327 | burg-schoenfels@gemeinde-lichtentanne.de | www.burg-schoenfels.de
o » S c h o e nf el s
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 4 to exit Zwickau, then follow Federal Road B 93 to Zwickau, B 173 to Lichtentanne; along Highway A 72 from Chemnitz-Hof
to exit Zwickau West, then follow Federal Road B 173 towards Lichtentanne | BY RAIL/BUS from Chemnitz to Zwickau, then by bus No. 29 to Lichtentanne, then along
the hiking path Rußbuttensteig, or bus No. 181 to Schoenfels (mo-fr)
Schoenfels Castle
Augustusburg Castle
New
thinking –
new forms
»In my time, in the 16th century that is, the spirit of Renaissance came to take hold of Saxony. The Dark Ages gave
way to the dawn of discoveries and to newly gained knowledge. We, the princes, supported the arts and sciences
and took care of the development of trade and crafts. We did not want to carry on living in the tight, uncomfortable
castles of our forefathers. So we had residential palaces redesigned in Torgau and Dresden. With their richly decART AD
HE
D
»T
T
IC
flights of rooms, they raised admiration throughout Europe. In fact, I myself contributed to the latter with my
«
Mo
v ie
orated façades, long rows of windows, artfully designed spiral staircases, new castle chapels and representative
Cabinet of Artifacts and Curiosities, in which I collected anything precious or rare in the world that
I could lay my hands on or that was given to me – from a unicorn to mineral specimens to precious
items and paintings – and presented them to my awestruck visitors. Many of my successors
became addicted to collecting, too, some even worse than me. I also had the old castles in
Freiberg, Nossen and Colditz converted into palaces with splendidly decorated portals,
widely stepped gables and large halls. State-of-the-art fortifications in Italian and Dutch
style with cannon-armed battlements and safe casemates were built in Dresden and
RT
A
E
H
»T
«
T
C
I
D
AD
Leipzig for the defense of the towns. The Koenigstein Mountain in the Elbe Sandstone
Mountains was extended to become an unconquerable state fortress. And with Augustusburg
Castle in the Ore Mountains, I left a truly impressive edifice.«
Elector Augustus (1526 –1586)
25
SCHLOSS AUGUSTUSBURG
The crown of the Ore Mountains
H
ere, where stallions once breathed heavily in
largest motorbike museum. Numerous unique exhibits
thousands of motorcycle fans. The monumental Re-
front of grand barouches, horse-powered engines
from the history of this fascinating means of travel are
naissance castle stands on a well-chosen site. Visible
now roar. Augustusburg Castle is one of the favorite
on display here. During the »Winter Meeting« of the
from afar, this old hunting lodge rises above the
places of motorcycle fans since it is the home of Europe’s
motorcycle congregation, Augustusburg Castle attracts
Zschopau Valley on a porphyry cone. It is aptly called
the »Crown of the Ore Mountains« because of its roof
shape. The imposing structure, which in four centuries
has lost none of its former appeal, was completed in
the year 1572. Augustusburg Castle, however, not only
View from the service yard to the castle
impresses through its historic atmosphere but also
because of its spaciousness which has been put to good
use. There is hardly another castle in Germany which
At the Motorcycle Museum
offers such a large variety of cultural and educational
artistically minded will love the sight of the altarpiece
programs inside its castle walls. Here, visitors will not
of the castle church which was painted by Lucas Cranach
only find the motorcycle museum, but also other
the Younger. This altarpiece is considered to be one of
worthwhile exhibitions of game and birds, of coaches
the most remarkable works of art of the Protestant
and of the hunting and castle history, with impressive
faith. It has never been removed from its original location
murals in the Venus and Rabbit Hall. Visitors can have
since the church was consecrated. Furthermore, for
a magnificent view from its watchtower. In addition,
those who wish to rest after having enjoyed all the
falconry shows of eagles and hawks allow visitors to
sights, the castle also accommodates a youth hostel
vividly experience these majestic birds of prey. The
where you can stay the night.
Schloss Augustusburg | 09573 Augustusburg | Phone +49 37291 38018 I augustusburg@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.die-sehenswerten-drei.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 72/A 4, exit Frankenberg, further via Federal Road B180 towards Flöha up to Augustusburg
BY RAIL Line 517 Flöha – Bärenstein to Erdmannsdorf, continue using the historical cable car to Augustusburg
26
KLAFFENBACH CASTLE
V
isitors cannot but fall in love with the charm of
this castle to the south of Chemnitz which
hardly anyone will want to call a »castle«. This white
Renaissance jewel is poised almost weightlessly above
the waters of Würschnitz River which fills the castle
moat. The unique sweeping ogee arch roof looks much
too ornate and the picturesque view too friendly to
appear splendid or even well-fortified. The wedding
room is especially popular among those who are in love
and who want to take their marriage vows with the
good spirit of Fräulein von Taube, who once refused to
marry the ugly burgrave of Rabenstein, watching over
them. However, she had to pay the price as she was
The castle with the moat and the side buildings
immured alive in the castle tower by her own father.
Other rooms which have been reconstructed according
to old handcraft tradition display regional and international artwork. The castle grounds include a friendly
hotel and numerous studios surrounded by a golf course
and riding stables.
Love at
first
sight
Wasserschloß Klaffenbach | Wasserschloßweg 6 | 09123 Chemnitz | Phone +49 371 266350 | wasserschloss@stadthalle-chemnitz.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 72 Stollberg Exit to Neukirchen, from there follow castle signposting
BY RAIL City-Railroad from Chemnitz main station to Klaffenbach/Neukrichen railroad station
27
Dresden Residential Castle
DRESDEN RESIDENTIAL CASTLE
Where the arts
A
lmost eight hundred years of history are reflected
reside
in the Saxon Residential Castle which was not
only the royal seat but has also been the cultural center
it has now been restored to its previous beauty and
and is made of transparent plastic pillows. Close by,
houses one of Europe’s greatest art collections, the
another rather more precious material protects a
Dresden State Art Collections. The Residential Castle
unique mural on an outer wall from the adverse effects
is part of a museum complex of extraordinary European
of time: 25,000 painted tiles made of Meissen porce-
significance in which the famous Green Vault, the
lain© form the Procession of Princes, a 102-meter-long
»Turkish Chamber« and the Giant’s Hall of the Armory,
parade which depicts the rulers of the House of Wet-
the Coin Cabinet and the Collection of Prints, Draw-
tin. On the other side of Saxony’s most famous mural
ings and Photographs – Germany’s oldest museum of
is the Stable Courtyard, a building with a colonnade
graphic art – have found a worthy home. The Great
which was already an attraction of the city in the 16th
Castle Courtyard shows the artistic properties of the
century and which forms the backdrop of a romantic
Sgraffito in an exemplary manner. The façades here
medieval Christmas market in December. The size and
have been richly decorated using this ambitious
beauty of the castle can be seen best from the 100-meter-
pebbledash method. The visitor’s lobby of the »Art
high Hausmannsturm Tower with a platform affording
Residence« is located in the Small Castle Courtyard
visitors a fantastic panoramic view of the Old Town
whose Renaissance architecture is overarched by a bold
and the Elbe Valley below.
r es
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden Altstadt, then follow the signposting to the city center | BY TRAM get off at tram stop Theaterplatz or Altmarkt
Vid eo »D
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden | Taschenberg 2 I 01067 Dresden | Phone +49 351 49142000 I besucherservice@skd.museum | www.skd.museum
Small Castle Courtyard
e«
roof construction which appears to be hovering above
de
s tl
of the Saxon capital. Severely damaged in World War II,
n Re
sid enti a
lC
a
29
FREUDENSTEIN CASTLE
Treasures of the earth
the collection of the Wella heiress Dr. Erika Pohl-
and impressively beautiful witness to the history of the
shown in a part of the castle which has been specifically
Stroeher, who was born in Saxony, can be seen in this
earth on five continents. The splendor of the exhibits
refurbished for this purpose. This is where the func-
permanent loan exhibition which bears spectacular
has been increased as the »terra mineralia« is being
tional architecture of the third millennium merges
with architectural structures which have developed
over 700 years providing a fitting stage for the crystals
and precious stones whose age is measured in eons.
The neighboring rooms house the Freiberg Mining
Archive’s collection of artifacts and scientific mining
Access road to the castle
documents from six centuries.
A
lthough you will not find the famous philosopher’s
stone here, you will find everything which makes
the heart of geologists and mineral collectors beat faster.
Freudenstein (literally Rock of Joy) is an appropriate
name for this castle because it houses a treasure of
worldwide reputation not just limited to the scientifically-minded public. The exhibition »terra mineralia«
of the Bergakademie Freiberg, University of Technology, is the world’s largest private mineralogical collection. About 3,500 of the total of 80,000 exhibits from
The treasure champer of the »terra mineralia«
Entrance to the museum from the inner yard
Schloss Freudenstein | terra mineralia | Schlossplatz 4 I 09599 Freiberg | Phone +49 3731 394654I fuehrungen@terra-mineralia.de | www.terra-mineralia.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highways A 4/A 14, exit Siebenlehn/Nossen Ost, continue along Federal Road B 101 towards Freiberg to the town center (Schlossplatz);
via Federal Roads B 173/B 101 to the Freiberg town center | BY RAIL Dresden – Chemnitz – Hof; get off at Freiberg Station
30
HARTENFELS CASTLE
The spirit
of reform beneath
the spiral staircase
View of the castle from the Elbe River
T
his town is a monument to Luther’s reform spir-
also where Luther’s wife Katharina von Bora died and
case«, created by great master builder Konrad Krebs,
it. In Torgau, the spiritual center of the German
was buried in St. Mary’s Church. The »Torgau Museum
supports itself without the aid of any central pillar. In
Reformation, Hartenfels Castle is the most significant
Route« leads visitors up the hill to the castle and the
its time, Hartenfels Castle was regarded as a »modern
building of the townscape, an outstanding masterpiece
Castle Church, the first Protestant church to be built in
residential castle« to which an innovative elevator for
in one of Germany’s most beautiful Renaissance towns.
Europe, whose design was based on an idea of Luther
lowering the drinks stored in the bottle tower pays
This is where the »Torgau Articles« laid the foundation
and which was personally consecrated by the great
tribute – this contraption would provide the nobles
for the Augsburg Confession, where the first Protestant
reformer. Today the castle courtyard is the central place
who were wining and dining to the sound of clinking
songbook was published, and where the Protestant
where cultural events in Torgau are held. It is dominat-
glasses with fresh supplies.
rulers signed the »Torgau League of Princes«. This is
ed by the Large Spiral Staircase: This »impossible stair-
Castle courtyard with the Large Spiral Straircase
Schloss Hartenfels | Schlossstraße 27 I 04860 Torgau | Phone +49 3421 70140 I info@schloss-hartenfels.de | www.schloss-hartenfels.de
Vid e
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 13, exit Duben, further along Federal Road B 87 up to Torgau; via Highway A 14, exit Mutzschen | BY RAIL from Leipzig to Torgau
o
»H
arte
n f e ls C as t
le«
31
WILDENFELS CASTLE
Oriental
gloss of silk
deemed one of the main attractions of the venerable
and town history as well as the nobles of the Counts zu
trade of making ginger-bread and natural-historical
castle. Its name goes back to the dynasty of those von
Solms-Wildenfels. Further rooms in the north wing of
knowledge about the Wildenfels Intermountain Area.
Wildenfels who had set up a castle more than 800 years
the castle display pieces of contemporary fine arts, the
ago, which is regarded as the predecessor to today’s
intricate building complex. After the noble family
became extinct in 1602, the Counts zu Solms inherited
its estate and shaped its current appearance. They conBlue Salon
verted the old castle palace into a granary, erected
andy-beaked birds in pink and gold crowd richly
B
today’s castle tower and redesigned the residential and
embroidered blue webs of silk, exotic plants
representation rooms in the area of the outer bailey in
blossom and oriental oil lamps gently swing. Still
neoclassicist style. It is mainly in the style of the late
being in the heart of Saxony, you will feel enchanted
18th century, in which the interior of the castle presents
by the magic of One Thousand and One Nights in the
itself to its visitors today. The castle hall, whose center-
»Blue Salon« of Wildenfels Castle. The wall decoration,
piece is a high, round stove of Meissen porcelain tiles,
which is unique throughout Europe, is presumed to
is being used for performing concerts and giving lectures
consist of parts of a pompous tent for representation,
now; the former ancestors’ hall with its precious wall
originating from the Persian-Turkish cultural area, which
and ceiling murals provides for a perfect ambience for
had come to Wildenfels as spoils of war in 1737. After
wedding ceremonies. The permanent exhibition »Court
their elaborate restoration, the silk tapestry webs can
of Muses – Wildenfels Castle« in what used to be the
be admired again for their previous splendor and are
comital family’s parlors is dedicated mainly to the castle
Wildenfels Castle
Freundeskreis Schloss Wildenfels | Schlossstraße 2 | 08134 Wildenfels | Phone +49 37603 58569 | schloss-wildenfels@gmx.de | www.schloss-wildenfels.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 72 to exit Zwickau Ost, then follow Country Road S 283 up to Wildenfels | BY RAIL from Chemnitz to Zwickau, then by bus line 141 to Wildenfels
Schloss Hartenfels
32
HINTERGLAUCHAU CASTLE
Hinterglauchau Castle
Collectors,
benefactors and scholars
the end of the 12th century as a center of their new
beautiful bay, emerged later, during early Renaissance.
20th century as well as the history of the interior of
Glauchau dominion. Three hundred years later, this
In that time and in its immediate vicinity, only sepa-
stately residences from the Renaissance to Historicism.
fortification was converted into a late-Gothic residential
rated from Hinterglauchau by a duct, Forderglauchau
Another exhibition complex of fine arts (graphic art,
palace. The beautiful ogival curtain windows in the
Castle was newly built and motivated to slightly
painting, plastic arts) goes back in large parts to a dona-
east wing still catch the eye today as evidence to the
adjusting the older building to the current zeitgeist.
tion by Dresden medical professor and art collector Pro-
modernization during that time, adopting the archetyp-
The museum at Hinterglauchau Castle belongs to the
fessor Dr. Paul Geipel (1869–1956). As the famous
al design developed by Arnold von Westfalen in the
oldest of its kind in Saxony. It was founded in 1884
Renaissance scholar Georgius Agricola (1494–1555),
embers of one of the oldest bloodlines of Saxon
M
building of Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle (see p. 20).
and displays several fields of collection, including paint-
who became known as the »Father of Mineralogy«,
nobility, the immediately imperial – i.e., solely
The ogival portals as well as rooms, such as the Banquet
ings, sacral sculptures, furniture and handicraft. The
was born in Glauchau, a topical cabinet show is dedi-
subordinate to the emperor and thus counting among
Hall (»Knights’ Hall«) and the Chapel of the castle go
themes the exhibitions are dedicated to cover the town
cated to his life and work. A small, but nice collection
the high nobility – Lords von Schoenburg erected a
back to that time, too. Other forms of design, for
and castle history of Glauchau, the everyday life of the
of minerals complements this area.
castle on the edge of the Mulde River valley towards
example the volute-ornamented stepped gable or the
weavers in the Schoenburg lands from the 16th to the
Corridor to the knight's hall with ancestral portrait gallery
Museum und Kunstsammlung Schloss Hinterglauchau | Schlossplatz 5 A | 08371 Glauchau | Phone +49 3763 2931 | www.glauchau.de, rubric culture/leisure
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 4 to exit Glauchau; alternatively: use Federal Road B 175 | BY RAIL from Dresden, Leipzig to Glauchau
33
WILDECK CASTLE
Cold ore and
red-hot motorbikes
Inner castle courtyard
Wildeck Castle
T
he Bohemian Route used to link the trading
tury fortifications, watched over the Zschopau River
order of Duke Moritz of Saxony into a far less martial
treasures, since Zschopau used to be a centre of the
centre of Leipzig with the royal residence of
passage by night and by day and made the town of the
hunting castle. From the 17th to the early 20th century
Saxon automotive industry in the 20th century – noble
Prague. Initially, it was mainly used for transporting
same name a safe harbor for merchants from all direc-
the Higher Forestry and Gamekeeping Authorities
DKW bikes of the »Rassmussen Collection«, numerous
salt from the Halle region to Bohemia, hence its name
tions. Today only »Fat Henry«, a more than 30-meter-
were accommodated there. Today, the white Renaissance
MZ motorbikes as well as enduros and racing motorbikes
»Salzstrasse« (salt road), but later also by traders and
high residential watchtower with meter-thick walls, is
castle that can be seen from afar, houses several museums
wait to be admired. Especially the children will love the
carters – and they all needed protection. Therefore,
a reminder of the once defiant fortification. In the
especially devoted to the industrial history of the region.
coin-minting workshop, the mineral collection and
Wildeck Castle, built on the foundations of 12th-cen-
middle of the 16th century Wildeck was converted by
Mainly bikers will be thrilled by the many two-wheeled
the giant slide.
Schloss Wildeck | Schloss Wildeck 1 (satnav address: Altmarkt 2) | 09405 Zschopau | Phone +49 372528 7170 | kultur@zschopau.de | www.schloss-wildeck.eu
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Chemnitz-Nord, further along Federal Road B 95 to Chemnitz and via Federal Road B 174 to Zschopau
BY RAIL from Chemnitz to Zschopau
34
DRESDEN FORTRESS
Beneath the
balcony of Europe
The Brick Gate
T
he remnants of the fortress of Dresden, whose
entrance lies hidden between the Albertinum
and the Art Academy, are witness to the feuds and
military campaigns born out of courtly glamor. Stronglybuilt walls around the old Brick Gate receive the visitor
When it came to pomp and splendor, the rulers of
ential court favorite Heinrich von Bruehl. This Dres-
right where, in 1707, Johann Friedrich Boettger first
Saxony obviously had a luckier hand than in comman-
den landmark, originally a defensive structure, was
invented European porcelain in his laboratory deep
ding their troops or choosing military allies. An enter-
turned into a place where people from all over the
below the »Jungfernbastei« (the virgin bastion). As the
taining audio guide relating the history of the fortress
world could stroll and was named »The Balcony of
fortress by that time had become militarily insignificant,
in an original way will fascinate young and old alike.
Europe«. The panoramic view of the Elbe River and the
it could not prevent the Prussians pillaging and plun-
Above the darkness of the fortress casemates, there is
white steamboats is an essential part of any visit to
dering the Saxon capital during the Seven Years’ War.
Bruehl’s Terrace, which was built by order of the influ-
Dresden.
Bruehl’s terrace and the Dresden Fortress
Festung Dresden | Georg-Treu-Platz 1 I 01067 Dresden I Phone +49 351 438370320 I festung.dresden@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.festung-dresden.de
Vid e
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden-Altstadt, follow the signposting towards the city center | BY TRAM get off at tram stop Theaterplatz or Synagoge
o
»D
res
d e n F ortre s
s«
35
Colditz Castle
COLDITZ CASTLE
Great escapes
Second inner courtyard with a view of the Castle Chapel
R
uler’s seat, hunting lodge, widow’s residence –
personnel were kept prisoner here, including the nephew
through the castle walls and even a glider was made.
with its white gables Colditz Castle is one of the
of Winston Churchill and the nephew of the then King
Of course, the »Escape Museum« looks at this aspect
most beautiful and stylistically unadulterated architec-
of England, George VI. The prisoners of the »Oflag
of the castle’s history in great detail. But also the old
tural monuments of Central Germany of the 16th cen-
(officer’s camp) IV C« were, however, only minimally
battlement with its mighty walls, the prince’s house,
tury. When nowadays groups of travelers from around the
impressed by the lovely atmosphere of the castle – their
the Renaissance portal of the Trinity Church, the castle
world crowd around the castle and its grounds, it is not
one and only goal was to escape its walls. About 300
tower with its bulbous cupola and the old stone bridge
only because of their interest in Renaissance architecture.
documents of escape attempts exist, some of them
impress visitors time and again. Visitors from all over
reveal an unbelievable creativity, including successful
the world can reside here quite nobly when checking
escape attempts which today are part of this legendary
in at the castle’s European Youth Hostel with its reaso-
It has far more to do with recent history than with the
The escape glider on display in the museum
past since the spacious castle was a significant internment
camp for high ranking officers of the Western allies during
on by the book »The Colditz Story« and the film of the
military history. Secret radio rooms kept the prisoners
nably priced modern rooms, friendly atmosphere and
World War II and it was to become world famous later
same name. Mainly British, Dutch and French military
in contact with their home country, tunnels were dug
good cuisine.
Kultur/Museum-Gesellschaft Schloss Colditz e. V. I Schlossgasse 1 I 04680 Colditz | Phone +49 34381 43777 I info@gesellschaft-schloss-colditz.com
o»
e
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 14, exit Grimma, further along Federal Road B 107 towards Colditz; via Highway A 4, exit Glauchau, via Rochlitz to Colditz
BY RAIL/BUS by regional railway from Leipzig Main Station to Grimma, then by bus to Colditz or from Leipzig Main Station to Colditz by bus
Vid
www.schloss-colditz.com | www.colditz.jugendherberge.de | Europa-Jugendherberge Schloss Colditz | Phone +49 34381 45010 | colditz@jugendherberge.de
Col
d i tz C as tl e
«
37
LAUENSTEIN CASTLE
Inspiration for a
master builder
with calling the valley of the Mueglitz River, over which
Lauenstein Castle rises, Saxony’s loveliest valley. Visitors
may judge this for themselves. As a matter of fact, however, this castle perched on a mighty cliff is not only worth
a visit because of its fabulous surroundings. Instead of
a fortified medieval castle, in the 16th century, a spacious residential castle was erected here with lavish furnishings which testify to the artistic-mindedness of its
In the Museum of the East Ore Mountains
owners and which today houses the Museum of the
The castle with the Baroque garden
A
East Ore Mountains. The murals in the Bird Hall, the
village of Fürstenwalde in 1666. He spent his childhood
splendidly arched stuccoed ceiling of the Coat-of-Arms
and youth in Lauenstein. Perhaps it was the grand
Hall, and the portraits in the castle chapel remain a
architecture of the local castle which profoundly affected
feast for visitor’s eyes even many centuries after their
the later career of this carpenter from the Ore Moun-
creation. Lauenstein Castle really comes to life whenever
tains. Or maybe it was the famous sandstone altar and
the falconry presents its birds of prey. We must not,
the Bünau epitaph of the town church? Filigree »archi-
however, forget the town’s greatest son, George Bähr.
tecture« of a completely different kind can be found
lthough many a Saxon countryside has its own
praises because it had been marked so highly with the
This exceptional architect who built the world-famous
only a few kilometers away from Lauenstein – in Glas-
beauty, hardly any would be able to sing its own
favor of a king. King John of Saxony got carried away
Church of Our Lady in Dresden was born in the nearby
hütte where Germany’s finest watches are made.
V
id e
38
Ca
s t le
«
Osterzgebirgsmuseum Schloss Lauenstein I 01778 Lauenstein | Phone +49 35054 2 5402 I info@schloss-lauenstein.de | www.schloss-lauenstein.de
o » L a u e n s t ei n
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A17 Bad Gottleuba Exit, direction Geising/Lauenstein via Route S178 to Lauenstein | BY CITY RAIL S1 Dresden – Schöna to Heidenau,
then continue with the »Müglitztalbahn« railroad to Lauenstein
KLIPPENSTEIN CASTLE
A
huntsman's
fortune
The castle with outer bailey and castle pond
teps for riders would provide their knightly users
S
the historical construction phases have merged in rapid
with a maximum amount of comfort. Especially
succession from the foot of castle hill – from Classicism
impressive is the winding stairway on Klippenstein
to Renaissance and back to Gothic times. Today a
Castle in Radeberg. With its flat wide steps it would
museum dedicated to the history of the castle and the
allow the noble hunters to reach the castle court com-
town is housed in Klippenstein Castle. Since 2012, the
fortably on horseback and thus save them from having
reconstructed castle – located near the Radeberg Export
to carry their weapons and armor by foot. This well-
Brewery, which once as a supplier to the royal court
fortified and romantic castle from the 13th century was
brewed the Saxon kings’ favorite drink and has hence
converted into a hunting lodge by the prince-elector
been well-known far beyond Saxony’s borders – has
Moritz in the middle of the 16th century. Since then
reappeared in its old, new splendor.
The Museum
Schloss Klippenstein Radeberg | Museum Schloss Klippenstein | Schlossstraße 6 | 01454 Radeberg | Phone +49 3528 442600 | kontakt@schloss-klippenstein.de | www.schloss-klippenstein.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 4 Ottendorf or Pulsnitz Exit, continue towards Radeberg via Route B 6 from Dresden direction Bautzen to Radeberg | BY RAIL from Dresden to Radeberg
39
Koenigstein Fortress
KOENIGSTEIN FORTRESS
Conquest requested
F
our centuries of the art of fortifying are presented
visitors to explore what everyday life at a fortress used to
legendary giant wine barrel, which could take 238,600
by this imposing fortification situated in the Saxon
be like. Thereby, one will encounter numerous super-
liters, can be marvelled at again, presented in its origi-
Switzerland: On a rock plateau of that table mountain,
latives, such as Germany’s oldest preserved barracks,
nal place in a modern way. For its unique location, the
which takes the size of thirteen soccer grounds, more
Saxony’s deepest water well (152.5 meters) and the first
unconquerable mountain fortress used to be a much
than fifty buildings and extensive green spaces invite
Saxon garrison church. Also, Augustus the Strong’s
favored destination for outings by the Saxon court; it
was a place for celebrations to which high-ranking guests
from abroad were invited to impress them. When the
political situation got dicey, the Saxon state treasury was
Georgenbau and Gate House
brought to safety behind its walls. Also, the alchemist
and porcelain inventor Johann Friedrich Boettger was
temporarily kept there in safe custody and protected
from other rulers. Numerous prominent prisoners,
including Saxon Chancellors Nikolaus Krell and Wolf
Dietrich von Beichlingen, the anarchist Michael Bakunin, the social democrat August Bebel and writer Frank
View of the Lilienstein mountain
Wedekind, languished in the state prison dungeons of
view of the Elbe River Sandstone Mountains and its
who conquer the fortress today as visitors, which is pos-
vicinity. Allow for sufficient time! And if you like, you
sible without much effort thanks to a lift and a panora-
can celebrate there, get married or rent a holiday apart-
mic elevator, will enjoy numerous exhibitions, themed
ment to feel like the fortress commander himself ...
culinary experiences and a breathtaking panoramic
Vi
de
o »K
ort
re s s
«
Aerial view of Koenigstein Fortress
42
the fortress, also known as the »Saxon Bastille«. Those
n
o e ni g st ei
F
Festung Königstein | 01824 Königstein I Phone +49 35021 64607 I info@festung-koenigstein.de | www.festung-koenigstein.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 17 Pirna Exit, follow signposting along Route B 172 from Dresden to Bad Schandau to Königstein
BY CITY RAIL S1 Dresden-Schöna to Königstein | BY BOAT by Elbe River steamboats to Königstein
NOSSEN CASTLE
In the footsteps
of Saxon nobility
C
hanging fortunes create particularly charming
pronounced its relentless sentences. Also, Countess
buildings. This is especially true for Nossen
Cosel, the famous mistress of excessive Saxon ruler
Castle. The medieval knights’ castle that previously
Augustus the Strong, is part of Nossen Castle’s history.
stood on this site was first mentioned in 1185 in con-
In 1716, the critically sick mistress had been attended
nection with a legal dispute of the owners, the lords of
to at this place for a month before she was taken to
Nuzzin. Elector Augustus started converting the old
Stolpen Castle where she was to die in solitude
walls into a Renaissance hunting lodge in 1554. This
49 years later. Today, Nossen Castle presents the
gave the architecture of what used to be a murky forti-
fascinating history of Saxon nobility in changing exhibi-
fication a certain degree of ease. The spirit of that
tions. Apart from the von Schoenberg and von Friesen
European era of cultural dawn can still be sensed today.
families, the exhibitions will present further chronicles
Former prison cells and authentic replicas of medieval
of other aristocratic ancestry that ruled the country
torture instruments, however, are proof of the dark
between the Vogtland and Lusatia regions for many
side of this place where, for quite some time, a court
centuries.
Nossen Castle
The Fireplace Room
The historical library
Schloss Nossen | Am Schloss 3 | 01683 Nossen | Phone +49 35242 50435 | nossen@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.schloss-nossen.de
eo
BY RAIL from Dresden, Meissen, Döbeln, Leipzig to Nossen | BY BUS from Meissen, Freiberg, Döbeln, Dresden to Nossen
Vi d
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 14, exit Nossen-Nord or Nossen-Ost, via Highway A 4, exit Siebenlehn
»N
os sen Castl e«
43
Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden
The
splendor of
Baroque and Rococo
»Being the Senior Master builder in the services of His Majesty, Augustus the Strong, was not always an easy job.
It was not that I felt neglected by the »Saxon Roi Soleil« since he was always busy courting his ever-changing mistresses. No – it was rather for his perpetually new architectural ideas and for him being so hard to please. Time and
again he contributed sketches of his own hand. He was a particular admirer of the art of the Far East. Asian rulers
were legendary for their wealth and immense power which many European princes starved to copy. Porcelain from
these far-off lands was regarded to be extraordinarily precious, which is why the Elector and King took extreme
delight in his alchemist Boettger who, as the first in Europe, had succeeded in making a »white gold« of similar
BUILDIN
HE
G
»T
minutest detail: the well-dimensioned and diversely structured complex virtually amalgamates
COON«
TY
But what I am especially proud of is the Dresden Zwinger. This is where I managed to merge the arts in the
Mov
ie
quality. My job, however, was building. Pillnitz Castle was the implementation of my idea of Asian architecture.
with the richly decorated sculptures that were contributed by sculptor Balthasar Permoser’s
workshop. What had initially been thought to become an orangery and backdrop to a festive
area turned into a feast for my own eyes. But, of course, I was not the only outstanding
architect of my time. My colleagues and successors Johann Christoph Knoeffel,
Zacharias Longuelune and Jean de Bodt contributed their shares to increasing the
scores of magnificent buildings in the middle and late Baroque in Saxony – an era that
later became known in this area as the »Augustan Age«.
»THE
G
N
I
D
L
I
BU
N«
O
O
C
Y
T
Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann (1662 –1736)
45
Pillnitz Castle
PILLNITZ CASTLE AND PARK
Ease and magic of flowers
E
lector Augustus the Strong once acquired the
according to plans by the famous architect, Matthaeus
of European Baroque. Away from the hustle and bustle
castle for his favorite Anna Constantia Countess
Daniel Poeppelmann. The grand castle and park
of the residence town of Dresden, the place served the
von Cosel. When Saxony’s best-known mistress fell out
grounds directly situated on the banks of the Elbe
noble family as a »pleasure castle« and retreat to nature
of his favor and the castle became his property again,
River are considered a perfect example of the chinoise
during the summer season. It is most impressive to
Augustus had the hillside and waterside palaces erected
style merging the architecture of the Far East with that
approach the pleasure castle with its distinctive pagoda
roofs on an Elbe River steamboat. The view from the
river was a sight Augustus and his entourage, who often
indulged in pleasure rides on the Elbe River using fancifully designed gondolas, have already enjoyed in their
time. One of them has been preserved and can still be
admired in the park. The English, Dutch and Chinese
Baroque chinoiseries
gardens on the extensive grounds around the castle
buildings urge the visitor to take a stroll and be enchan-
eo
48
»P il l
an
Vi d
dP
ar k«
In the lilac yard of the new palace
le
n i tz C ast
ted by the wealth of exotic plants and gorgeous floral
Arts and the Castle Museum accommodated in the castle
decoration. The Orangery and the Palm Tree Green-
itself are open during summer season. At the Castle
house that has been reconstructed in old splendor attract
Museum, one can see the royal court cuisine, the neo-
those who take a botanical interest to appraise their
classical dome hall and the Catholic chapel and learn
exotic treasures, as does the famous 250-year-old Japa-
about its eventful times as a summer residence. Most
nese camellia. It has meanwhile grown to the size of a
recently, there is a guided tour offered for guests who
tree and has been given a glass home all of its own to
suffer from dementia at Pillnitz Park. These are beautiful
protect it in winter. Every spring it displays anew its
moments for relatives and carers , if the sense of the
stunning wealth of blossom. The Museum of Decorative
memory awakes and a short, relaxing break is possible.
Schloss & Park Pillnitz | August-Böckstiegel-Str. 2 | 01326 Dresden | Phone +49 351 2613260 | pillnitz@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.schlosspillnitz.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden-Hellerau or Dresden-Altstadt; via Highway A 17, exit Pirna, direction Radeberg and then follow the signposting
BY BOAT by Elbe River steamboats to the Pillnitz jetty
WACKERBARTH CASTLE
A fizzy
pleasure
W
ackerbarth Castle (valiant beard) sounds like
presents the 850-year-old tradition of wine-growing in
the name from a fairy tale. In fact, what awaits
Saxony in its most beautiful form. A bubbly pleasure is
the visitor at the foot of the vineyard in Radebeul truly
the sparkling wine from the Wackerbarth vintners which
seems legendary: the unique ensemble of a stately home
has been produced for almost 200 years now. This
and a belvedere, Baroque gardens and a modern factory
for making wine and sparkling wine in the middle of
the lovely landscape of Saxony’s Elbe Valley; a true
jewel built between 1727 and 1729 by Count August
The belvedere amidst the vineyards
Christoph von Wackerbarth as his retirement residence.
With all this pomp, the Count was not alone for long:
even Augustus the Strong treasured the charming
atmosphere and the delicacy maturing in the barrels.
second-oldest sparkling wine producer in Germany
a tour in the transparent factory to see the production
Wackerbarth Castle, which experienced many a euphoric
allows the grapes to mature traditionally in the bottle
of the wine and sparkling wines, feast on fine food, be
party of the Saxon court, has since then been a by-word
to become a fine and fizzy specialty. Visitors can try
entertained in various events and, of course, take
the quality of the Saxon State Winery themselves, take
home a bottle of this noble wine.
for elegant wines and Saxon joie de vivre, and now
Northern view of the castle
Sächsisches Staatsweingut GmbH | Schloss Wackerbarth | Wackerbarthstrasse 1 | 01445 Radebeul | Phone +49 351 89550 | kontakt@schloss-wackerbarth.de | www.schloss-wackerbarth.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden-Neustadt direction Radebeul
BY CITY RAIL S1 direction Meissen to Radebeul-Altkötzschenbroda | BY TRAM Line 4 direction Weinböhla to Schloss Wackerbarth
49
THE GRAND GARDEN OF DRESDEN
T
he Saxon capital itself is a big garden landscape.
for playing and sunbathing. The most impressive park
Only few large cities are so close to nature or have
in the Saxon metropolis is the 363-acre Great Garden.
such extensive gardens, spacious parks and generous lawns
Elector John George III started the most favorite park
The
green heart
of Dresden
of Dresden with its absolutely straight avenues in 1678,
paths, little forests, extensive meadows, bodies of water
modeling it after the French parks. The Palace at the
and topical gardens. Restaurants and cafés, open-air
point where the avenues meet is a jewel of early Baroque
stages and facilities, such as the Dresden Zoo and the
and is still used today for festive events in the middle
Botanical Garden make the place a cultural oasis in the
of green surroundings. Especially the Baroque part of
middle of the city. To journey through the wide land-
the park around the Palace is regularly maintained and
scape, visitors, young and old alike, prefer to take the
attended to. Otherwise, the park is dominantly land-
miniature park railway, which is traditionally operated
scaped in the English style of romantic labyrinthine
by Dresden schoolchildren.
Miniature Park Railway
The Palace
Großer Garten Dresden | Kavaliershaus G | Hauptallee 5 | 01219 Dresden | Phone +49 351 4456600 | grosser.garten@schloesserland-sachsen.de
www.grosser-garten-dresden.de | www.dresdner-parkeisenbahn.de | DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden-Hellerau or Dresden-Altstadt, follow the signposting
towards the center/Zoo/Gläserne Manufaktur | BY TRAM get off at tram stops Comeniusplatz, Zoo or Großer Garten
50
THE DRESDEN ZWINGER
The Nymphs‘ Bath
A
A Garden of Eden on Earth
zwinger, or outer ward, is actually just the free
space between the inner and outer ring of the
city walls. In Dresden, the capital of Saxony, the most
splendid outer ward in the world was created for the
and size. This courtly synthesis of the arts was created
gallery and opera house were built on the planned site.
Zwinger. In summer, the Zwinger forms an atmosphe-
prestigious festivities of the European aristocracy in
by architectural genius Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann
Today, visitors find the museums of the Dresden State
ric backdrop to a series of open-air events. The rather
the early 18th century. Pushed on by the architectural
and master sculptor Balthasar Permoser. Plans for the
Art Collections, including the Porcelain Collection,
secluded »Nymphs’ Bath« counts among the most
passion of Augustus the Strong, the originally simple
construction of an adjoining palace were never realized,
the Old Masters Picture Gallery and the Royal Cabi-
beautiful fountains of Baroque – an artistic synthesis
plans for a new orangery suddenly gained in extent
but in the 19th century Gottfried Semper’s picture
net of Mathematical and Physical Instruments in the
of architecture, sculpture and water.
besucherservice@skd.museum | www.der-dresdner-zwinger.de | www.skd.museum
V i deo
Dresdner Zwinger | Museen der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden | Theaterplatz 1 | 01067 Dresden | Phone +49 351 49142000
he
r«
»T
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden Altstadt, follow the signposting to the city center | BY TRAM get off at tram stop Theaterplatz or Postplatz
D re s
d e n Zwi
ng
e
51
The Dresden Zwinger
RAMMENAU BAROQUE CASTLE
Invited by the
chambermaid
H
ere on the foothills of the Lusatian mountains
restored, Rammenau Castle stands out as a masterpiece
family obtained the grand estate by auction. Their
you can find the only manor house in Saxony
of Saxon country Baroque. After the building of the
most famous scion was Johann Centurius von Hoff-
which has remained intact. Having been comprehensively
mansion had ruined the first owner, the von Hoffmann
mann, Imperial Count von Hoffmannsegg, botanist
and highly-respected entomologist; a stroke of luck
for Saxon science, as the new owner was to give a
new home to intellectual creativity and education in
Rammenau. The interior of the castle is a sparkling
treasure trove of late Baroque and early Classicist room
design. The Chinese Room, the Pompeii Room, Bird
Room, Peacock Room, Hunting Room and the painted
walls around the staircase all go to show the ingenuity
of the cultured country nobles. Even today you can
The Golden Room
regularly listen to concerts in the imposing Mirror
Hall. Perhaps it was this special flair one can feel
throughout the palace that set the greatest son of the soil
on his path: Johann Gottlieb Fichte, born in Rammenau
in the cuisine. In the historic dining room, the master
in 1762, was to become one of the leading philosophers
chef and the chambermaids serve extraordinary dishes
of his age. The visitor can find varied and aesthetic
which combine original Lusatian delicacies with Me-
abundance not only in the interior decoration, but also
diterranean flair.
eo
»R
54
Barockschloss Rammenau | Am Schloss 4 | 01877 Rammenau | Phone +49 3594 703559 | rammenau@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.barockschloss-rammenau.com
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Burkau to Rammenau; via Federal Road B 6 from Dresden to Bischofswerda, then towards Kamenz up to Rammenau
qu
Vid
eC
as t le«
View of the manor from the park
am m
e na
ro
u Ba
BY RAIL from Dresden, Görlitz, Zittau to Bischofswerda, then continue with the bus to Rammenau
ZABELTITZ BAROQUE GARDEN
An
invitation
to take a stroll
Palais at Baroque Garden Zabeltitz
A
t Zabeltitz, magnificent alleyways lined by linden
August Christoph von Wackerbarth. At the place where
he erected a neat Baroque palace. This palace, and a
Registry Office in the adjacent palace with the adequate
and chestnut trees, rows of hedges, groves and
originally was a moated castle to protect the old salt road,
second one close-by, jointly form a charming architec-
ambience for an unforgettable wedding ceremony.
rondels form a backdrop that inspires to take a relaxed
tural ensemble. The oblong Renaissance building of the
Apart from a café, there are numerous rooms of various
stroll. Ever new and surprising views and perspectives
latter had already been built in the late 16th century
sizes available for cultural events and meetings. After
open up again and again. Artistic sandstone sculptures
under the Elector Christian I, who favored Zabeltitz as
taking a stroll through the extensive park grounds,
form highlights; large water surfaces reflect all the splen-
a hunting lodge. It is called the »Old Palace« today. Its
visitors who seek further encounters with the region
dor and additionally accentuate how nature was brought
ground floor used to serve as a horse stable originally,
and its cultural history are recommended to visit the
into strict symmetrical order by human hand. No less
whereas its upper floor provided electoral hunting par-
Zabeltitz Peasant Museum. Apart from that they may
a person than Johann Christoph Knoeffel, Augustus the
ties with adequate accommodation. Still today, festive
also have a closer look at St George’s Church with its
Strong’s Court Master Builder, designed this Baroque
events take place in the magnificant palace hall. Those
artistic epitaph altar and the burial place of Count von
garden around 1728 on behalf of the Imperial Count
who would like to get married at Zabeltitz will find a
Wackerbarth.
View in the Baroque Garden Zabeltitz
n«
i tz B
de
e lt
b
(which can optionally be reached along country roads, too) | BY RAIL up to rail stop Zabeltitz, then approx. 15 minutes to the village center
Za
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR from Dresden along Highway A 13 to Federal Road B 98 (exit Thiendorf) and then, in Großenhain, along Federal Road B 101 up to Zabeltitz
Vid eo »
Zabeltitz-Information | Im Park 1 | 01561 Großenhain/OT Zabeltitz | Phone +49 3522 5233-25 | zabeltitz@stadt.grossenhain.de | www.grossenhain.de
aro que G
ar
55
GROSSSEDLITZ BAROQUE GARDEN
The unfinished
symphony
The »Silent Music«
T
drawn by his own hand. It should have been nothing less
terraced grounds are a masterpiece of artistic garden
notable in Germany, but this jewel of absolutist
than a Saxon Versailles here, but in the end Grosssedlitz
architecture with two orangeries, fountains and
creative drive is worth a visit for other reasons, too. It is
was never completed – an acute shortage of funds at the
around 60 sculptures. Taking a walk around the garden,
also of special significance because a prominent Saxon
court of Dresden, where otherwise money was happily
new views and perspectives will open up to the visitor
ruler left his imprint on the park’s design. Having con-
and abundantly spent, put an end to the creative fantasy.
all the time, which still today testifies to the expertise
structed his residence for retirement here in 1719, the
Nevertheless, the 12 hectares which were finished in the
of garden planning at the time. Especially in summer,
Imperial Count von Wackerbarth sold it – not entirely
end are so full of splendor that it is hardly possible to
when orange trees and other exotic plants fill the park
of his own volition – to Augustus the Strong. The new
imagine how the park might have appeared had all the
with scent and colour, the visitor can experience the
owner had the garden and completely rebuilt, with plans
planned 96 hectares been completed. Today, the spacious
imagination of the highborn creator of Grosssedlitz.
o
»G
ue
Vi de
Ga r den «
he garden at Grosssedlitz is among the most
56
roßs
e dli tz
oq
Bar
The Upper Orangery
Barockgarten Großsedlitz | Parkstrasse 85 | 01809 Heidenau | Phone +49 3529 56390 | grosssedlitz@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.barockgarten-grosssdelitz.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 17, exit Pirna, then follow the signposting; via Federal Road B 172 from Dresden up to Heidenau or Pirna, then follow the signposting
BY CITY RAIL from Dresden to railway stop Heidenau-Großsedlitz, a 20-minute walk following the signposted walkway will take you there
WOLKENBURG CASTLE
The
count’s lovely cabinets
defiant building changed hands several times. It was
building around 1795. Neo-Gothic tracery, reminiscent
again. – Today some of what used to be the counts’ res-
mainly the von Einsiedel family that changed the
of the design in Venetian palazzi, decorates, for example,
idential rooms accommodate topical museum chambers
appearance of Wolkenburg, which was held by them
the cast-iron balustrades, the wall decorations and the
dedicated to the Counts von Einsiedel and to the
from 1635 for 310 years. The castle was then first
filigree grates of doors of the beautiful built-in cabinets.
Wolkenburg-born painter Fritz von Uhde. The castle
changed into a palace, giving it forms of the Renais-
The precious interior has undergone thorough restora-
bailey and the terraced castle park lend open-air events
sance and the Baroque. Around 1790, Count Detlev
tion and now appears in its vigor of 200 years ago
a romantic and atmospheric ambience.
Carl von Einsiedel had the main building redesigned
in the style of Classicism. The banquet hall, which is still
in use today for events, has been preserved from that
time. Stucco reliefs on the walls include depictions of
allegories on the stages of a lifetime, of the times of day
and the seasons as well as portrait medallions. Likewise,
cast-iron figurines that can be admired in both the castle
and park recall the lifetime of the count. As proprietors
The Count's library
of the art foundry in Lauchhammer, Count Detlev
n the Middle Ages, the estate may have appeared as
I
Carl von Einsiedel and his son had developed a process
being in the clouds [Wolke lit. cloud] to those who
for manufacturing large-size cast-iron sculptures. The
beheld it from the Mulde River valley. Still today, some
count’s library is an architectural gem of the special kind.
of its walls seem to grow directly from the steep rock spur
The two-storied, pavilion-like room of a circular floor
precipices straight into the sky. Over the centuries, the
plan was installed into the attic of the palace’s main
Wolkenburg Castle
Schloss Wolkenburg | Schloss 3 | 09212 Limbach-Oberfrohna | Phone +49 37609 58170 | post@limbach-oberfrohna.de | www.schloss-wolkenburg.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 4 to exit Limbach-Oberfrohna, then along country roads S 244 to Limbach-Oberfrohna and S 249 to Wolkenburg; along Highway A 72 to exit Penig,
then along Federal Roads B 95 and B 172 to Wolkenburg | BY RAIL from Chemnitz to Glauchau, then by bus to Wolkenburg
57
MORITZBURG CASTLE
A fairytale
castle
and its treasures
and magnificent setting for his glittering parties. This
resulted in a Baroque jewel with four towers in ochre
and white, the splendor of which is mirrored in the
artificial lake surrounding the castle. One of the most
outstanding collections of hunting trophies in Europe is
not the only big treasure of Moritzburg Castle. Just as
unique is the lavishly painted gold leather tapestry on
the walls of the electoral refuge. The »Feather Room«
even won a European Cultural Heritage Award. Far
more than one million colorful feathers were made into
a unique piece of art: the magnificent bed of the castle
lord for the purpose of representation – a bed as one
cannot find another one in the world. And there was a
good reason why the stately home was used as a magical
backdrop in the legendary fairytale movie »Three
The castle island and the Baroque garden
Hazelnuts for Cinderella«. During the winter season,
The Hall of Monstrosities, with leather tapestry
the Baroque castle turns into a mekka for hundreds of
T
he certainly most beautiful Saxon moated castle
Augustus the Strong commissioned Matthaeus Daniel
thousands of fans of the most beautiful fairytale movie
Also, the visitor should by no means miss a look at the
is named after Duke Moritz, who built a hunting
Poeppelmann, architect of the Dresden Zwinger, with
of all time. In the exhibition on the cult-movie, one can
Little Pheasant Castle that can be reached in just a few
lodge in 1542 near his residence in Dresden. In 1723
the conversion of the building to provide an appropriate
walk in the steps of the cheeky little fairytale princess.
minutes on foot or by horse and carriage.
58
eo »
Ca
V id
s tle
«
Schloss Moritzburg und Fasanenschlösschen | 01468 Moritzburg I Phone +49 35207 87318 I moritzburg@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.schloss-moritzburg.de
M orit
g
z bur
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden-Wilder Mann; via Highway A 13, exit Radeburg | BY BUS/RAIL from Dresden-Neustadt Station by bus towards
Radeburg – Großenhain, get off in Moritzburg | Historical narrow-gauge train Radebeul Ost – Radeburg, get off in Moritzburg
MORITZBURG LITTLE PHEASANT CASTLE
Paradise
in a nutshell
nly a few people are allowed to enter because this
O
inside the building. While strolling along the garden
solitaire amongst German castles is simply too
outside, visitors can go back in time to the world of
small for crowds. A walk through Little Pheasant Castle
18th century court society. Even more picturesque and
therefore remains an exclusive pleasure just as it used
unusual are the jetty and the red-and-white brick
to be in the past. Embedded in the gentle cultivated
lighthouse close by, which give testimony to the playful
landscape east of Moritzburg Castle, the prestigious
and decadent spirit of the times. This is where the
castle built by the Dresden Court in 1770 is the only
nobles of landlocked Saxony dreamed their dream of
late Rococo castle remaining in Saxony. Funding by the
Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, the Ostdeutsche
Sparkassen Stiftung and by the World Monuments
Fund allowed for it to be comprehensively restored
Little Pheasant Castle
and it is now open to the public again with all its filigree glory. Originally erected in a confined space in the
chinoise style, it once housed a complete small-size royal
glorious sea battles which for want of a real fleet could
masters and mistresses a room with a real »sea view« –
court. Furniture and murals restored to their original
only be carried out with extras and a great amount of
this is also afforded to today’s visitors be they of royal
imagination. At least Little Pheasant Castle offered its
blood or not.
state and a collection of stuffed birds are eye-catchers
Lighthouse at Moritzburg Little Pheasant Castle
Schloss Moritzburg und Fasanenschlösschen | 01468 Moritzburg I Phone +49 35207 873610 I fasanenschloesschen@schloesserland-sachsen.de | www.schloss-moritzburg.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 4, exit Dresden-Wilder Mann; via Highway A 13, exit Radeburg
BY BUS/RAIL from Dresden-Neustadt Station by bus towards Radeburg – Großenhain, get off in Moritzburg | Historical narrow-gauge train Radebeul Ost – Radeburg, get off in Moritzburg
59
DELITZSCH BAROQUE CASTLE
»Intrigue and Love«
at court
I
n the event that a princess should beget a child out
times had no scruples. The illegitimate offspring of
said to have been given to a nanny after birth and
of wedlock the European higher nobility of former
Duchess Henriette Charlotte von Saxony-Merseburg is
removed from the court. The child, however, passed
away soon after – it is assumed today that poison may
have been involved. This put an end to the collateral
line of Saxony-Merseburg that could have rivaled for
succession to the Saxon Electoral throne. In stark contrast to such nasty intrigues appears the bright and
cheerful Baroque character of Delitzsch Castle. The
pastel color of the castle, the once-popular residence of
The dining room in the »beletage«
traveling Saxon princes in the middle of the Delitzsch
Lake District, attracts artistically minded visitors with
its museum, Baroque garden and watchtower. Inside, the
castle visitors can marvel at the prestigious interior
which despite the temporary use of the castle as a
women’s penitentiary has still retained a great deal of
its original appeal.
Baroque castle and park
e
o»
60
Del it
Barockschloss Delitzsch | Schloßstraße 31 I 04509 Delitzsch | Phone +49 342 02 67237 I barockschloss@delitzsch.de | www.barockschloss-delitzsch.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 9, exit Wiedemar, then follow the signposting; via Highway A 14, exit Leipzig-Mitte/Delitzsch
ue
Vi d
Cas t
le«
The prayer room
zsch
oq
Bar
BY RAIL Leipzig – Dessau/Wittenberg, get off at Delitzsch Unterer Bahnhof
LICHTENWALDE CASTLE AND PARK
Gently caressed
by the waters
Lichtenwalde Castle and Park
eing surrounded by a network of fountains,
B
good reason. Approaching the castle from the park’s
valley below, which is now a nature preserve. The cast-
Lichtenwalde is very different from other Saxon
avenue, one is left almost speechless by the impressive
le itself houses the »Treasury« Museum which displays,
castles. One hundred of these fountain complexes are
layout of this peaceful green paradise. While aptly illus-
on three floors, exhibits of foreign or long gone cultures,
situated throughout the Baroque garden with more
trating the transition from Baroque to Rococo, the ter-
including art objects and ritual items from Nepal and
than 400 individual fountains connected by an intricate
raced park, however, never completely reveals itself to
Tibet, pieces of porcelain, lacquered items, furniture
the visitor’s eyes. Time and again the eye is attracted by
and silk embroidery from China and Japan as well as
of rustling leaves, splashing water and the sweet scent
playful details such as antique amphoras, statues and
burial objects and ghost masks from West Africa. Visi-
of flowers in spring. Lichtenwalde was chosen as one
circular flower beds or it is drawn from the artificial
tors should not miss the largest and most comprehensi-
of Germany’s most beautiful park ensembles with
garden itself to the real nature of the Zschopau River
ve silhouette collection in Germany.
circulating system. Visitors can experience a symphony
The Count's library
«
P ark
ten
nd
BY RAIL/Bus Rail from Dresden/Chemnitz to Niederwiesa, then City-Rail to Braunsdorf, then bus No. 706 to Lichtenwalde
ic h
www.die-sehenswerten-drei.de | DIRECTIONS | BY CAR via Highway A 72/A 4, exit Frankenberg, continue along Federal Road B 169 direction Chemnitz up to Lichtenwalde
V ideo »L
Schloss und Park Lichtenwalde | Schlossallee 1 | 09577 Niederwiesa, OT Lichtenwalde | Phone +49 37206 8873812 | lichtenwalde@schloesserland-sachsen.de
w a l d e C a s t le a
61
Count Pueckler Park Bad Muskau
Between Romanticism
and industrialization
»If my name ever rings a bell in you, then the triple-layered icecream specialty will come to your mind first. The
my plans and ideas never did, my wife even agreed to our formal divorce, so that, by re-marrying, I
INDLER«
SW
my own will. I eventually sacrificed all my fortune to it. When my money came to an end, which, however,
MARRI
AG
HE
»T
E
other things – first of all, of my parks, of course. All my life, I was driven by the urge to design landscapes after
Mo
v ie
delicacy had once been dedicated to me, but, unfortunately, I didn’t invent it myself. Instead, I can be proud of
would have the opportunity to get hold of fresh money ... – It was in 18th century England
where they first began to turn away from the geometric landscaping forms of the Baroque to
start designing landscape gardens close to nature instead. Soon thereafter, the call »Back to
nature!« had its effect in Germany, too – and my Muskau Park is certainly one of the most
famous and beautiful among the newly designed grounds of that time. For building mansions
and palaces in my time, architects borrowed shapes and forms from all styles of architectural
»THE
E
G
A
I
R
R
MA
«
R
E
L
SWIND
history. What used to be Baroque pomp was now answered by Classicist simplicity. Then the
Romantic yearning for the Middle Ages was complemented by Gothic elements, such as little
towers, pointed arches, vaults and buttresses. Towards the end of the century, even forms of the Renaissance, Romanticism and Baroque were »revived« and often merged with each other. In all new palaces, villas and
manors, their builders were thereby striving for originality and high standards – noblesse oblige.
Prince Hermann Pueckler-Muskau (1785 – 1871)
63
PRINCE PUECKLER PARK BAD MUSKAU
The New Palace
T
View of the park
At the Pueckler exhibition
Gardening art
he park by the Neisse River in Muskau is a sym-
of world renown
landscape gardening of the Baroque court. Romanti-
century. The way the self-educated gardener combined
cism declared that nature should first and foremost be
plants and landscape together into a »natural work of
»natural«, and the landscape gardeners helped to the
art« was so rich in perspective that he even became an
of it are on Polish soil and only one third in Germany.
south wing you can see the spectacular exhibition
best of their ability. Ornamental gardening became the
example and a pioneer of the style as far away as the
The New Palace in the heart of Muskau Park, which
»Pueckler! Pueckler? Simply Unbelievable!« From the
art of scenic landscaping. The most outstanding example
USA. Today the spacious UNESCO world heritage site
burned down completely at the end of the World War II,
35-metre-high observation platform on the South
in the world is the park of Prince Pueckler-Muskau,
is also a symbol of European integration, since two thirds
has now been almost fully rebuilt. On two floors of the
Tower you can enjoy the panorama of the park.
»P
64
ce P
Tourismuszentrum Muskauer Park | Stiftung Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau | Neues Schloss | 02953 Bad Muskau | Phone +49 35771 63100
info@muskauer-park.de | www.muskauer-park.de | DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 15 from Berlin and Cottbus, Roggosen Exit, then follow Route B 115
kB
Vi d eo
r in
u ska u«
who was mainly known as a travel writer in the 19th
ad M
bol of greatest possible contrast to the geometrical
u e ckl er P
ar
to Bad Muskau, Highway A 4 Dresden–Bautzen, Bautzen-Ost Exit, continue on Route B 156 to Bad Muskau, Route B 115 from Görlitz to Bad Muskau
BY RAIL from Görlitz to Weißwasser (Oberlausitz), then continue with the bus to Bad Muskau
FROHBURG CASTLE
art
Ceramics,
and
childhood dreams
W
hen Kurt Feuerriegel founded the »Workshop
of Saxon Handicraft Potteries« in Frohburg in
Frohburg Castle
1910, the little town developed into a center of ambitious ceramic production of great renown throughout
historical toys from 100 years will take visitors back to
current palace building over the centuries. Individual
Germany. The potter’s craft, with its deep roots in
the time when their grandparents or great-grandparents
building stages can still be retraced by the shapes of
Middle Saxony for centuries, received a new impetus –
were still children. Dolls and doll houses, affectionately
window and door jambs, gables, decorative elements and
and the master himself earned numerous prizes and
equipped toy kitchens, toys for playing shops, steam
the like. The castle saw its heyday at the beginning of the
awards. With its precious collection of ceramics made by
engines, railways, puppet-on-a-string theaters and much
19th century. Its owner at the time, Baron Ernst von
Feuerriegel, the museum at Frohburg Castle possesses
more will rekindle the desire to play, even in adults.
Bluemner, had the interior of the building redesigned
a truly special treasure. The variety of his works on dis-
Taking a first look at the four-wing property of Froh-
in Classicist style. Two beautiful halls with allegoric
play there – from faiences and terracotta sculptures via
burg Castle may not instantly reveal its age, but it does
decorations, the Stone Hall with its monumental land-
stove tiles down to structural ceramics – enchants and
go back to a Romanesque castle from around 1200. Its
scape fresco and the Paintings Hall with its arched,
surprises the beholder. A second exhibition area at the
masonry has been preserved to a large extent in today’s
illusionistically painted coffered ceiling, have survived
buildings, which have been »growing together« into the
time since then.
castle museum will definitely light up childrens’ eyes:
Picture Gallery
Museum Schloss Frohburg | Florian-Geyer-Straße 1 | 04654 Frohburg | Phone + 49 34348 51563 | schloss-frohburg@gmx.de | www.museum-schloss-frohburg.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 72 to exit Frohburg, then along Federal Road B 7 to Frohburg | BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT by rail from Leipzig or Chemnitz to Geithain, then by city rail to Frohburg
65
VOIGTSBERG CASTLE
Snug as a bug in a rug
he carpet – once a simple substitute for fur – is a
T
130-year history of local machine and industrial carpet
habitat may be spurred. However, the rooms in the
demanding and also comfortable piece of interior
weaving, it provides information about the various car-
»older part« of Voigtsberg Castle will take visitors back
design nowadays. Carpets surround us, often unnoticed,
pet manufacturing techniques and shows, among other
to times long ago. The defiant building compound
as part of our living culture every day. The Oelsnitz
things, the variety of design on a »Road of the Best«.
cannot deny its origin as a medieval castle and stands
Carpet Museum at Voigtsberg Castle is dedicated
No wonder that, when visiting this fascinating exhibi-
out decisively against the more recent buildings of the
to this frequently »trampled-on« textile. Tied to the
tion, the visitors’ desire to freshen up their own living
outer bailey, which accommodate the Carpet Museum.
Initially in the possession of the bailiffs of Strassberg
and Plauen, respectively, it was used as electoral office
Splendid carpets
by the Wettins for almost 500 years afterwards. Today,
visitors are impressed by the Gothic St. George’s Chapel with its sacral pieces of art, by the Schoesserstube
parlor with its splendid Baroque ceiling as well as by
the Knights’ and the Princes’ Halls with their carefully
preserved architectural elements; with the latter boasting
of a special attraction since 2012: an invaluable painting
by Tizian, which an honorary citizen donated to the
Minerals collection
Town of Oelsnitz. By the way, you may even get married
being very close to it if you dare … The castle’s actual
ring in the Saxon Vogtland region: barite from Zobes,
treasury, however, is to be found in the historical vaults.
wavellite from Schloditz, fluorite from Schoenbrunn
It is there where the »Oelsnitz Minerals Vault« displays
and many other most beautiful treasures from below
a gorgeous collection of 400 minerals typically occur-
the ground – a feast for the eye!
Voigtsberg Castle
66
eo »
Ca
V id
s tle
«
Schloss Voigtsberg | 08606 Oelsnitz/Vogtland | Phone +49 37421 729484 | museum@schloss-voigtsberg.de | www.schloss-voigtsberg.de
Vo igt
g
s ber
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 72 Plauen-Süd Exit, then follow B 92 and S 312 direction Oelsnitz, from there follow castle signposting | BY RAIL from Plauen to Oelsnitz/Vogtland
ROYAL GROUNDS BAD ELSTER
Touched
by the muse
many’s first open-air stage, the Bad Elster Natural
Theater. The awesome stage on the Waldpark grounds
is one of the trumps played by the town still today to
The Albert Spa Bath
attract visitors. Awarded by the Saxon royals with the
The Royal Spa House
title of a ‘Royal Saxon State Spa’ in the middle of the
I
t certainly takes no wonder that well traveled Goethe
19th century for its curative water wells, Bad Elster
invite people to take a stroll and to enjoy culture. The
KunstWandelhalle art forum, the King Albert Theater
had also been to Bad Elster. Nonetheless, the idylli-
quickly turned into a posh spa town. That is where
historical spa park laid out in 1850 in the style of an
and three music pavilions form a »Festive Mile of Short
cally located cultural and festival town in the Vogtland
Europe’s high society met: you did something for your
English landscape park, boasting of rare shrubs and
Ways«. The Bad Elster »Electoral Saxon Philharmonic
border triangle is quite proud of that 1795 episode, as
health, enjoyed the surroundings and culture and
trees, colorful flowerbeds and sap-green lawns, is a treat
Orchestra«, jointly with other top-notch ensembles
his stay there is said to have inspired the prince of poets
maintained important social contacts. The Saxon kings,
for the eye and soul. Topical gardens, sculptures, trick
and artists, stage more than 1,000 cultural events a year.
to write the epic poem »Hermann and Dorothea«.
who loved being frequent visitors themselves, had
fountains and Lake Louisa complement the designed
Those who – faced with such rich variety in a gorgeous
Therefore, a festive performance elaborating on that
generous parks laid out and magnificent buildings set
landscape. Surrounding the historical Albert Spa Bath
ambience – are not touched by the muse, may well be
piece of poetry was put on in 1911 to inaugurate Ger-
up. Still in our day, the well-tended historical grounds
in the heart of the town, the Royal Spa House, the
out of reach of it forever …
Hof-Plauen Airport at a distance of approx. 40 km; pick-up service available on request
t er«
Ro
E ls
o»
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 72 Plauen-Süd Exit, follow signposting to Bad Elster | BY RAIL Bad Elster Railway Station approx. 2.5 km off the town centre
Vi d e
Touristinformation Bad Elster | 08645 Bad Elster | Badstraße 25 | Tel. +49 37437 53900 | touristinfo@badelster.de | www.badelster.de
ya l
G ro unds B
ad
67
Nimbschen Monastery
Lodge
royally
»My husband loved good food in gay company. We used to have guests in our house at any time; many scholars and students, even noble lords wanted to have disputes with the famous Reformer Martin Luther. I attended to them and was proud when they felt at home. Back at the Nimbschen Monastery, I had learned much
which was of advantage to me now: housekeeping and cooking, washing and sewing, gardening, brewing and
animal keeping, and I was also well versed in the art if healing. Martin appreciated this a lot and would let me
run the household my way. He used to call me – sometimes teasingly, sometimes respectfully – his »dear Mr.
Kaethe«. – I was sure to expect that even 500 years after our time hospitality would still be regarded one of the
highest Saxon virtues. Places where exclusivity had always prevailed can often be experienced again
today: some of the most beautiful palaces and manors that have returned into private ownership
have reopened as hotels and restaurants inviting customers to relax and enjoy. So everyone
may take the temporary role of a »castle lord« or the »noble damsel«. Experience the flair
of a glamorous past in the historical atmosphere of residences of the Saxon nobility and
allow yourself to be invited to a real treat!«
Katharina Luther, née von Bora (1499 – 1552)
E»HOM D
AN
R
E
K
A
M
HOST«
69
NIMBSCHEN MONASTERY
Where
Katharina used
N
to live as a nun
estled among old beech and oak trees, it is only
special emanating from those grounds, for it was
reformer, Kartharina, jointly with another eight nuns,
romantic ruins today that attest to the once
Katharina von Bora who used to stay there as a Cister-
escaped from the monastery in 1523 and subjected
lavishly equipped Marienthron Monastery in Nimbschen.
cian, before she eventually got married to Martin
herself to Luther’s protection. He married her some
However, there is still an exuberant flair of something
Luther. Influenced by the teachings of the renowned
time later, after she had refused other candidates who
had proposed to her. It was a good choice. Six children
were born from that wedlock, who founded the ancestry
of the »Lutherides« still growing in our day. Those who
come to Nimbschen today will find a modern hotel
Art on the monastery premises
compound on what used to be the stables and warehouses of the old monastery premises. The buildings
have been developed with great effort and much care
for detail. This combination of historical ambience
and exclusive equipment has created a special atmosphere. The range of services is extensive: Nights can
be spent comfortably both at the four-star hotel, with
its altogether 49 rooms, suites and apartments, or in
Monastery ruins
one of the 32 rooms of the three-star guesthouse.
Exquisite catering and a multitude of leisure activities
will perfect any stay. Those who are looking for history
not only within the monastery’s sphere, will find a wide
variety of palaces and castles along the Mulde River.
Comfort suite
Hotel Kloster Nimbschen GmbH | Nimbschener Landstraße 1 | 04668 Grimma | Phone +49 3437 9950 | info@kloster-nimbschen.de | www.kloster-nimbschen.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 14 to exit Grimma, head for Grimma Zentrum, then follow Federal Road B 107 towards Colditz; the hotel is at a distance of 2 km after leaving Grimma
(from the city limits sign) | BY RAIL from Leipzig to Grimma | BY BUS line 619 Rochlitz – Grimma (also from Grimma Railway Station)
70
HOHNSTEIN CASTLE
Nature hostel in the
Elbe River Sandstone Mountains
N
o enemy ever managed to scale the walls of
Hohnstein Castle, such is the steepness of the
jagged rocky spur that it stands on, high above the
Polenz River Valley. There was also no hope of liberation,
making the Black Hole of Hohnstein one of the most
feared dungeons of the Middle Ages. As the people
said, »He who goes to Hohnstein seldom goes home«.
Thank goodness, this saying does not apply any more,
since the current owners of the castle happily welcome
guests to their beautiful building. In 1924, the castle at
the gateway to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains was judged »most beautiful youth hostel in Germany«. Today
it is open to visitors of all ages and from near and far
Hohnstein castle
for staying overnight, since the hostel is situated on a
plateau of rock in the heart of the Saxon Switzerland,
in 1756 by residents who were enraged that animals
because artillery and horses under General Dominique
1795. Curiosity is today stilled by the »castle tour for
the most beautiful national park of Europe. Countless
had escaped and caused »high spirits« in the village; of
Vandamme had to surrender before managing to get
all the senses«, the many concerts, the famous church
stories tell of Hohnstein’s eventful past, of Elector
the steep Wartenberg Road, which »in a way« cost
up the wet road; from the sinister gallows hill, where
designed by George Bähr and the annual puppet festival
Christian II’s bear-pit, the closure of which was forced
Napoleon his victory at the 1813 Battle of the Nations,
the last public execution drew large curious crowds in
in front of the museum.
Burg Hohnstein | Am Markt 1 | 01848 Hohnstein | Phone +49 35975 81202 | info@burg-hohnstein.info | www.burg-hohnstein.info
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Route B 172 to Pirna, from there direction Neustadt via Lohmen and Rathewalde to Hohnstein
BY CITY RAIL S1 from Dresden-Hauptbahnhof to Pirna, from there by bus to Hohnstein (bus stop Markt)
71
BOARDING HOUSE »ZUR KÖNIGLICHEN AUSSPANNE«
Rest
aristocratically
here there once was a manor house dedicated
W
areas of Dresden. In 1835, the Saxon King Friedrich
court’s demand for wine, was also to satisfy its thirst
mainly to vineyards there is now a boarding
August II personally acquired these chambers and expan-
for beer. After Friedrich August’s death in 1854, the
house with a long history in one of the most beautiful
ded them to become a brewery which, along with the
court disposed of this property and it functioned
mainly as a residential property. Later it even became
the location of a nationally-owned factory for decorated
candles. In the 1990s, the old depots and stables were
lovingly restored, and are now an insider’s tip for visitors
to Dresden, who can discover the city on the Elbe and
its fascinating surroundings from here. The former
property of the King of Saxony is only a few steps away
from Pillnitz Castle, the picturesque buildings along the
Elbe are right on the doorstep and the sights of Dresden
Historical vault
city centre are only twenty minutes away by bus, tram
or steamship. But surrounded by ivy-covered walls, vines
and rose beds, it can sometimes be tempting just to
stay at home and enjoy the almost Mediterranean flair
of the »Königliche Ausspanne«.
Stylish interior
Entrance area
Pension zur königlichen Ausspanne | Eugen-Dieterich-Str. 5 | 01326 Dresden | Phone +49 351 2689502 | info@koenigliche-ausspanne.de | www.koenigliche-ausspanne.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 4 Dresden-Hellerau or Dresden-Altstadt Exit, Highway A 17 Pirna Exit, follow Route B 172 direction Radeberg to Graupa/Pillnitz Exit
72
DRESDEN-PILLNITZ CASTLE HOTEL
Reside
royally
Open-air terrace at the Lilac Court
Elbsuite
O
n the edge of the wide parkland of the Baroque
its first-class reputation especially because visitors to
the varied, special palace grounds. Therefore, having
very same footpaths. Should anybody then wish to leave
summer palace is this hotel on the banks of the
Dresden, after a visit to the Semper Opera House or
experienced Saxon cuisine par excellence in the Schloss-
Pillnitz at all, they can plan tours for the following day,
Elbe. It received its four-star ranking only partly thanks
walking by the Church of Our Lady, do not want to
restaurant, hotel guests may wander through the Pillnitz
for from here sights such as the picturesque vineyards
to its special location in a peaceful suburb of the former
miss the Baroque ambience. This private family hotel
Park and let themselves be whisked back to a time in
of the Elbe Valley or the natural treasures of the Saxon
royal residence city of Dresden. This small, exclusive
is only a few meters away from the many small and large
which ladies in layered dresses and gentlemen in
Switzerland National Park are only an hour away by
hotel with its three suites and 42 rooms has acquired
architectural and botanical attractions which make up
powdered wigs engaged in courtly conversation on the
steamboat.
Schloss Hotel Dresden-Pillnitz | August-Böckstiegel-Straße 10 | 01326 Dresden | Phone +49 351 26140 | reservierung@schlosshotel-pillnitz.de | www.schlosshotel-pillnitz.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 17 Pirna Exit, continue along expressway direction Radeberg, turn off at Graupa/Pillnitz, Highway A 4 Dresden-Hellerau Exit, then follow signposting to Pillnitz
BY BOAT by Elbe River steamboats to Pillnitz
73
Gaussig Castle Hotel
HOTEL GAUSSIG HOUSE
Quietness,
enjoyment,
style
Palace and landscape park with lake
A
nybody who wishes to spend some days relaxing
Russian envoy Hermann Carl Count von Keyserlingk
and at the same time experience an aristocratic
have left their artistic imprint on the grounds since the
lifestyle will find their dream domicile here. Gaussig,
Baroque era. Gaussig experienced its last great recon-
one of the most prominent palaces in Upper Lusatia, is
struction at the turn from the 17th to the 18th century,
now a spacious hotel which combines the spirit of past
when Senior Master Builder Christian Friedrich Schu-
times with today’s demands for comfort and luxury. First
richt and the exiled Scottish nobleman James Ogilvy
mentioned in 1245 as a residence for nobility, the essen-
Terrace for relaxation
Earl of Findlater reformed the Baroque palace and the
provides accommodation in an aristocratic atmosphe-
spa area and a walk in the palace park – the Hotel
tial features of a large castle built here in 1700 are still
park in the style of Palladium Classicism. Today, the
re, guaranteeing a special kind of stay. Festivals with a
Gaussig House, owned today by the family of the
to be seen. Dresden courtiers such as the von Neitschütz
glorious manor house with its 30 hectares of landscape
noble touch, meetings in relaxed surroundings or sim-
Count von Bruehl-Pohl, is open to all who wish for a
family, the Imperial Count Heinrich von Brühl or the
park, elegant halls, salons and historic visitors’ rooms
ply a weekend with exquisite food, relaxation in the
stay which is anything but usual.
Vi
de
76
Ho
use «
Double room on the bel étage
o»
Ho tel G a
ig
u ss
Schloss Gaußig | An der Kirche 2 | 02633 Gaußig | Phone +49 35930 55227 | info@schloss-gaussig.de | www.schloss-gaussig.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR Highway A 4 Salzenforst Exit, direction Neukirch to junction to Gaußig town center
PURSCHENSTEIN CASTLE HOTEL
Perfectly
romantic
L
odge close to nature and enjoy noble ambience –
a most pleasurable combination to be found in
Neuhausen. This is where the four-star hotel of PurRestaurant Remise
schenstein Castle welcomes its visitors who, seeking
relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the city, will
still be able to enjoy high-class cultural events. The
in the hands of that aristocratic family until 1945. It
ambience. A team of top gourmet chefs offers superb
Ore Mountains, which are rich in forest, provide a per-
was reconstructed and converted several times: around
gastronomy for the best of culinary delights. The menu
fect natural backdrop for hiking tours; fascinating
1550 into a Renaissance palace, more changes followed
is seasonal and offers both international cuisine and
towns, such as Freiberg or Annaberg-Buchholz, but also
from the mid-18th century on, now in Baroque style.
Saxon specialties. The light-flooded and generous palace
larger cities, such as Dresden or Prague with all their
There are 35 double rooms and 15 suites available
hall is available for breakfast, but also as a venue for
sights are not far away and offer themselves to be
today on the castle estate, consisting of the Palace, the
meetings and exclusive events. Other rooms of different
explored. Purschenstein Castle goes back to a castle built
Bursary and the Coachman’s House. Their elegant and
sizes like the ceremony room, the ancestor hall and the
800 years ago that protected a trading route and raised
individual interior equipped with antique furniture from
library provide an ideal location for events. And those
toll. That castle later became property of the Meissen
various eras combines modern comfort with historical
who would like a special treat, will find anything their
margraves and, towards the late 14th century, of the
flair. The »Remise« restaurant in what used to be the
hearts desire – from massages to cosmetic attendance –
Coachman’s House enchants guests by its authentic
in the castle’s wellness parlor.
nobles von Schoenberg. The noble seat then remained
Purschenstein Castle Hotel
Schloss Purschenstein | Hotel GmbH | Purschenstein 1, 09544 Neuhausen | Phone +49 37361 1408-0 | info@purschenstein.de | www.purschenstein.de
DIRECTIONS | BY CAR along Highway A 4 to Chemnitz, then towards Marienberg and Olbernhau up to Neuhausen; from Leipzig along Highway A14 and A4 to Freiberg, then via Sayda to Neuhausen;
along Highway A 4 to Dresden, then via Dippoldiswalde, Rechenberg-Bienenmühle and Sayda to Neuhausen
77
Movie »s
ch
Discover Your
ndPASS
serla
«
lös
Kingdom
Ten days at € 20 or a full year at € 40
Benefits at more than 50 properties
•
•
•
•
•
The schloesserlandPASS can be obtained at
all participating properties or online.
For further sales spots and detailed information,
please go to www.schloesserland-sachsen.de
Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle
78
Tip
You can truly save with your
schloesserlandPASS.
Travelling with someone accompanying
you is more fun. Therefore, benefit from
our family discount: Purchase two
schloesserlandPASSES for ten days or a
full year and save € 5 or € 10, respectively.
Movie »S
av
s«
ing
•
Entitles to visit over 50 properties as
often as you like
Two children up to age 15 enjoy free
admission to all permanent exhibitions when
accompanied by the pass holder
Free admission to all permanent exhibitions or
outdoor facilities, reduced admission to special
exhibitions
Except: reduced admission to the Dresden
Residence Castle (except the Historical
Green Vault) and to the Dresden Zwinger;
concession rates for guided tours at the
Moritzburg Little Pheasant Castle and
for the Dresden Park Railway
10 % discount on the regular room rate at
our castle and monastery hotels
Events are excluded
By car
By rail
Highways in Saxony
A 4: Aachen – Cologne, interrupted once,
continued in Bad Hersfeld via Erfurt –
Weimar – Chemnitz – Dresden – Görlitz
A 13: Berlin – Dresden
A 14: Magdeburg – Halle – Leipzig and from
Nossen further along the A 4 to Dresden
A 38: Göttingen – Leipzig
A 72: Hof – Chemnitz
There is an ICE connection between Dresden and
Leipzig. IC or ICE connections are available from
many larger stations in Germany. EC trains go
between Dresden and Vienna, and between Dresden
and Zurich there is a CNL (CityNightLine)
connection. www.bahn.de
Driving times in Saxony
Dresden – Leipzig:
Dresden – Berlin:
Dresden – Prague:
Dresden – Munich:
Dresden – Hamburg:
Dresden – Frankfurt (M):
Dresden – Cologne:
Dresden – Vienna:
Dresden – Zurich:
Dresden – Warsaw:
1 hour 15 minutes
2 hours
2 hours
4 hours 30 minutes
4 hours 50 minutes
4 hours 30 minutes
5 hours 30 minutes
5 hours
7 hours 15 minutes
8 hours
By plane
The Dresden and Leipzig/Halle airports are wellconnected to the largest inner-German airports of
Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Duesseldorf. There are
regular connections to other inner-German airports,
too. Flight times do not take longer than one hour
in any case. There are also direct flights to Vienna
and Zurich.
e
»F
Movie
How to get
to Saxony
rie
nsp
ass«
By public transport
Saxony has a well-developed local public transport
network. All public transport providers offer day
tickets for individuals or groups.
Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO)
www.vvo-online.de: Dresden – Meissen –
Saxon Switzerland – Eastern Ore Mountains
enspass.
www.feri andrl
schloesse e
sachsen.d
Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund (MDV)
www.mdv.de: Leipzig – Halle
Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS)
www.vms.de: Chemnitz – Central Ore Mountains
Zweckverband Verkehrsverbund OberlausitzNiederschlesien (ZVON) www.zvon.de:
Bautzen – Görlitz
Verkehrsverbund Vogtland (VVV)
www.vogtlandauskunft.de:
Plauen - Vogtland
Traveling times by public transport in Saxony
Dresden – Leipzig:
1 hour 15 minutes
Dresden – Chemnitz:
1 hour
Dresden – Görlitz:
1 hour 15 minutes
Dresden – Meissen:
45 minutes
Dresden – Saxon Switzerland: 30 – 45 minutes
For further information and current advice as well as ticket prices
and opening hours please go to www.schloesserland-sachsen.de.
Moritzburg Castle
/Schloesserland.Sachsen
79
Editorial details
PUBLISHER
Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen gemeinnützige GmbH
Stauffenbergallee 2 a | 01099 Dresden
Phone +49 351 56391-1001
Fax +49 351 56391-1009
E-mail service@schloesserland-sachsen.de
/Schloesserland.Sachsen
TMGS Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH
Bautzner Strasse 45-47 | 01099 Dresden
Phone +49 351 491700
Fax +49 351 4969306
E-mail info@sachsen-tour.de
www.sachsen-tourismus.de
CONCEPT, DESIGN, MAPS
Ö GRAFIK | agentur für marketing und design
Wittenberger Strasse 114 A | 01277 Dresden | www.oe-grafik.de
PRINT
SDV Direct World GmbH
PHOTOS BY COURTESY OF
Albrechtsburg Meissen, Alexander Schmidt, punctum, Angermann Luftbildservice - Holm Röhner, Anja Weiss, Burg Kriebstein,
Burg Mildenstein, Burg Scharfenstein, Christian Leischner, Lutz Pfennig, Ernst Wrba, Festung Königstein, Foto-Walther-Heidenau,
Frank Glabian, Frank Höhler, Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau, Gabriele Hanke, Gerhard Weber, Großer Garten Dresden, h. & d. zielske,
Jörg Schöner, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Jürgen Major, Klaus Schieckel, Kloster Nimbschen, Königliche Anlagen Bad Elster,
Lothar Sprenger, Lutz Zimmermann, Manfred Lohse, Michael Schultz, Oliver Killig, panthermedia, Pension »Königliche Ausspanne«,
Peter Mauksch, Rainer Weisflog, Schloss Augustusburg, Schloss Colditz, ©Schloss Gaußig (Foto: Marco Klinger), Schloss Klaffenbach,
Schloss Moritzburg, Schloss Nossen, Schloss Rammenau, Schloss Schlettau, Schloss Voigtsberg, Schloss Wackerbarth, Schloss
Weesenstein, Schlosshotel Dresden-Pillnitz, Schlosshotel Gaußig, Stadt Delitzsch, Steffen Peschel, Stiftung Fürst-Pückler-Park
Bad Muskau, Sylvio Dittrich, René Schleichardt - Picturewolrd, Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen,
Volker Kreidler, www.DDpix.de
Made with promotional funds from the Free State of Saxony as part of the promotion plan tourism.
For information on the availability of free access for people with disabilities, go to www.sachsen-barrierefrei.de. There you
can order your free copy of the brochure »Sachsen barrierefrei« (Saxony barrier-free travel) which provides comprehensive
information on accommodation and places of interest especially for people with disabilities.
80
serland Sac
h
oes
l
h
online:
sen
November 2014
Sc
EDITORIAL DEADLINE
Experience
. . .
w i t h
memorable
t o p - c l a s s
b e a u t i f u l
a r t i s t s
festival
a t
moments...
D r e s d e n ' s
m o s t
v e n u e s
www.musikf e stspie l e .c om
phone:
035 1
-
656
06
700
The Dresden Music Festival is an official institution of the State Capital City of Dresden and
is subsidized by the Saxon State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Fine Arts.
Herzberg
Saxony-Anhalt
Torgau
Delitzsch
Baroque Castle
Delitzsch
Halle
(Saale)
Żary
Finsterwalde
Hartenfels
Castle
Senftenberg
Prince Pueckler
Park Bad Muskau
87
Elsterwerda
2
184
Spremberg
Brandenburg
A9
182
6
Saxony
107
2
Zabeltitz
Baroque
Garden
Riesa
6
Leipzig
87
A 13
A 38
Nimbschen
Monastery
Colditz
Castle
A 72
Naumburg
(Saale)
95
Zeitz
Altenburg
Frohburg
Castle
Gnandstein
Castle
Thuringia
Mildenstein
Castle
Meissen
Döbeln
175
Kriebstein
Castle
Rochlitz
Castle
169
Chemnitz
A4
175
173
Zwickau
Scharfenstein
Castle
95
Wildenfels
Castle
283
169
101
Dresden
A4
Rammenau
Baroque Castle
Radeberg
6
170
98
6
Hotel
Gaussig House
178
Frýdlant
ý
Zittau
A 17
Czech Republik
Lauenstein
Castle
Liberec
Děčín
Nový Bor
Purschenstein
Castle Hotel
Ústí nad Labem
ˇ
Ceská
Lípa
Teplice
174
500
km
Copenhagen
400
km
Most
Schlettau
Castle
Plauen
Amsterdam
Chomutov
Rostock
300
km
Hamburg
2
Berlin 00 km
Hannover
Potsdam
Warsaw
100 k
m
London
Voigtsberg
Castle
Dresden
Cologne
Brussels
92
Royal Grounds Bad Elster
Görlitz
Bautzen
101
Stolpen
Boarding House “Zur
Königlichen Ausspanne” Castle
Altzella
A4
Pillnitz Castle and Park,
Monastery Park
Dresden-Pillnitz
Nossen Castle Dresden Residential Castle,
Dresden Fortress, The Dresden
Castle Hotel
Zwinger, The Great Garden
Grosssedlitz
Freudenstein
of Dresden, Dresden Park Railway
Hohnstein
Baroque Garden Castle
Castle
Weesenstein
Koenigstein 172
Castle
Freiberg
Fortress
173
Wildeck
Castle
Klaffenbach
Castle
169
93
Klippenstein
Castle
101
A 72
Schoenfels
Castle
Radebeul
Wackerbarth
Castle
Augustusburg
Castle
Hinterglauchau
Castle
Zeulenroda-Triebes
Moritzburg Castle,
Moritzburg Little
Pheasant Castle
Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle
Lichtenwalde
95
Castle & Park
Wolkenburg
Castle
Gera
Frankfurt
am Main
Prague
Ostrov
Paris
Bavaria
Stuttgart
Munich
Bratislava
Vienna
Karlovy Vary
Federal road
Poland
97
101
A 14
Hof
115
156
96
Scale
Motorway
1
5
10
Budapest
Berne
15 20 km
Castle, Fortress, Garden, Park,
Monastery, Castle Hotel
Ljubljana
Zagreb
Hartenfels Castle Torgau
Old Splendor in New Glory.

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