Saxony's palaces, castles and fortresses

Looking for a proper fairytale setting? Moritzburg Castle is the one. The pretty moated castle near Dresden draws visitors from near and far and makes for great photos. Augustus the Strong had it converted into a hunting lodge and pleasure palace in the 18th century to stage lavish parties there. Like Albrechtsburg Castle, Moritzburg Castle can be explored with the HistoPad which is included in the ticket.

For an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance head to Torgau in the north of Saxony. The history of Hartenfels Castle is closely related to the Protestant Reformation and the castle church was inaugurated by Martin Luther himself as the first new Protestant church ever built. Later, Hartenfels became a Napoleonic fortress and then a Prussian barracks. Don’t miss the stunning “Grosser Wendelstein”, a grand, enclosed spiral staircase in the inner courtyard!

Fun fact: Hartenfels Castle has a long tradition of keeping bears, going back to the 15th century. In spring 2021, the brown bears' enclosure in the castle moat was redesigned with a bridge made of pine logs, a new hill, a stone cave and a wooden log coated in beechwood tar for the bears to rub their back fur against.

Mildenstein Castle in the town of Leisnig is one of the oldest castles in Saxony. Anyone who climbs up the steps to the mighty structure, will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the valley of the Mulde River. Check out the kitchen with its open fireplace (still functioning!), the knights' hall and the wooden floor of the Gothic granary. Leisnig and the castle are also important stops on the Luther Trail.

Stolpen Castle’s history goes back to the 13th century. In 1713, Augustus the Strong decided that it would be a good place to imprison his mistress, Countess Cosel, for whom he had previously bought Pillnitz Palace and who had become a political liability. He unceremoniously sent her into exile in the 200-metre-long castle, where she lived for almost 50 years until her death in 1765. The castle and her former living rooms can still be visited today.