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Home , Augustusburg, Colditz Castle, Moritzburg Castle, Nossen, Pillnitz Castle, Zwinger (Dresden)

A trip! A trip – fit for a king. Palaces, and Gardens in Publisher: Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen Stauffenbergallee 2 a | 01099

Phone +49 (0) 3 51 56 39 11 311 Fax +49 (0) 3 51 56 39 11 009 www.schloesserland-sachsen.de [email protected]

Design: kleiner und bold GmbH Print: Thieme Printing House Editorial deadline: December 2008 A warm welcome to Schloesserland Sachsen

In the Free State of Saxony, the rich cultural landscape area in the heart of Europe, we can look back on a long and proud history, which is reflected in the fascinating variety of palaces, castles, gardens and monasteries. They are an expression of the land’s high image. Schloesserland Sachsen has taken on the responsibility to preserve this Dr. Christian Striefler wealth of cultural monuments and make them into expe- riences you will never forget. With this brochure, we are inviting you on a trip to some of the most fascinating places of interest in Saxony.

With a Palaces Tour Card or Palaces Annual Card we would like to offer the chance to reasonably and comfortably dis- cover Schloesserland Sachsen. These cards allow you to visit more than 50 places, either on seven consecutive days or on 365 days, as often as you like. On the Internet you can find out for which destinations the cards are valid, where they can be purchased and about other advantages its holder can enjoy. Suggestions for topical routes will help you on your discovery trip which you can make, of course, a very special highlight for its almost 1000 events throughout the year.

A warm welcome to Schloesserland Sachsen

Dr. Christian Striefler Director

3 Content

Greetings 3 Content 4 Event highlights 5 Map overview of Schloesserland Sachsen 6/7 Altzella Monastery Park 8 9 Castle 10 Dresden Fortress 11 Dresden Great Garden 12 Dresden Stable Yard 13 Dresden 14 Gnandstein Castle 15 Gross-Sedlitz Garden 16 Koenigstein Fortress 17 Castle 18 Lichtenwalde Castle and Park 19 Albrechtsburg Castle 20 Mildenstein Castle 21 Little Pheasant Castle Moritzburg 22 23 Nossen Castle 24 Castle and Park 25 Rammenau Castle 26 Castle 27 Scharfenstein Castle 28 Stolpen Castle 29 Weesenstein Castle 30

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For more information on events, rentals, routes as well as how to find our partners, visit www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Schloesserland Sachsen – A Highlight in Every Season

Spring Blooming of the Camellia in and Park with up to 35,000 carmine blossoms from February till mid-April.

Summer Pillnitz Castle Night – the prime event on the second week- end of August

Fall “A trip! A trip – fit for a king.” A day out in Schloesserland Sachsen on the first Saturday of the fall school vacation

Winter Christmas markets full of atmosphere on the castles of Colditz, Nossen and Weesenstein in November and December

4 5 Saxony

LITTLE PHEASANT CASTLE MORITZBURG

ALBRECHTSBURG MILDENSTEIN CASTLE CASTLE MORITZBURG CASTLE RAMMENAU CASTLE

DRESDEN FORTRESS KRIEBSTEIN CASTLE DRESDEN ZWINGER COLDITZ CASTLE DRESDEN NOSSEN CASTLE STOLPEN CASTLE DRESDEN PARK STABLE YARD RAILROAD ROCHLITZ CASTLE GREAT GARDEN ALTZELLA PILLNITZ CASTLE KOENIGSTEIN GNANDSTEIN CASTLE MONASTERY AND PARK PARK FORTRESS LICHTENWALDE CASTLE AND PARK WEESENSTEIN CASTLE GROSS-SEDLITZ BAROQUE GARDEN

AUGUSTUSBURG CASTLE

SCHARFENSTEIN CASTLE

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We would like to personally inform you at our Schloesserland Sachsen Visitor Service & Shop in Dresden

Schinkelwache I Theaterplatz 1 I 01067 Dresden Phone I +49 (0) 3 51 4 38 37 03 - 16 Fax I +49 (0) 3 51 4 38 37 03 - 17 E-mail I [email protected] Altzella Monastery Park Schloss Weesenstein

Romantic view of the monastery´s park The Ruins of the Romantics

he picturesque park, with its mostly 200-year-old trees, still commu- nicates today what inspired the genius painter Caspar David Friedrich: T The many romantic perspectives of an area of reflection. The ruins of the former influential Cistercian Monastery Altzella (1175 – 1540) belong to the oldest evidence of Saxony’s past. The guiding idea of the order was ora et labora – pray and work – which can still be seen today in the former Laienbruederhaus as well as in its modest dining hall and in its impressive library. The classically construc- ted mausoleum is in remembrance of the sponsors of the monastery, Margrave Otto von and his relatives, that were buried in Altzella from 1190 – 1381.

Refectory of the Laienbruederhaus

Altzella Monastery Park Opening times: Easter till October: Tue. to Fri. 10:00 Am Schloss 3 | 01683 Nossen am – 05:00 pm | Sat., Sun. and bank holidays 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | Closed on Mondays and from Phone +49 (0) 3 52 42 504-30 and -50 November till March Fax +49 (0) 3 52 42 504-33 [email protected] Entrance: Entrance is only valid with a ticket | The www.schloesserland-sachsen.de guided tour is charged additionally | Combined ticket is available with Nossen Castle How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Nossen- Nord, Motorway A14 exit Nossen-Ost, follow the Special features: Buildings and ruins are in the signposting middle of a romantic landscape park, mausoleum of the Wettins, exhibitions: introduction into the order’s history, book art and book producing of the Cistercians, over-night stays available in the monastery hostel Froehnerhaus

8 9 AugustusburgSchloss Weesenstein Castle

View of the castle The Crown of the

his influential facility is, due to its monumentality and its beauty, often called T the Crown of the Ore Mountains. Once used by the elector Augustus as a hunting and pleasure palace, today it houses three museums: the coach museum, the motorbike museum and the museum for game and ornithology. From the look-out tower you can enjoy a breath-taking view of the Ore Mountains, and while taking one of the guided tours you will also be given behind-the-scenes knowledge of this charming castle and its grounds.

Altar in the castle’s church

Augustusburg Castle Opening times: April till October: daily 9:30 am – 09573 Augustusburg 06:00 pm | November till March daily: 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | Closed on December 24th | Closed on Phone +49 (0) 3 72 91 38 018 December 31st after 02:00 pm Fax +49 (0) 3 72 91 38 024 [email protected] Entrance: Museums and guided tours are only www.schloesserland-sachsen.de valid with a ticket | Entrance to the castle grounds is free | Special entry fees may apply during special How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Frankenberg, events in the direction of Flöha, follow the signposting, Motorway A72 exit -Süd in the direction of Special features: Fountain house, castle church Erdmannsdorf, follow the signposting with an altar painting by L. Cranach the Younger, motorbike museum, Ore Mountain Museum for game and ornithology, exhibition of castle and hunting history, coach museum, dungeon, look-out tower with a gallery 8 9 Colditz Castle

Gentlemen’s Prison Camp olditz Castle has a long and dynamic history. This Renaissance construction had many faces: a ruler’s residence, a hunting and widow’s castle, an C insane asylum, a hospital and many more, but it became famous when it served as a prison for allied officers in the Second World War. The many escape attempts out of this supposedly escape-proof facility are legendary in Great Britain. An exhibition can be viewed within the castle as to how creative the inmates were. In one wing of the castle you can enjoy a stay in the European Youth Hostel.

Inner courtyard of the Colditz Castle

Colditz Castle Opening times: April till October: daily 10:00 Schlossgasse 1 | 04680 Colditz am – 05:00 pm | Sat. 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | Sun. and holidays 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | November till Phone +49 (0) 3 43 81 43 777 March: daily 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | Closed from Fax +49 (0) 3 43 81 45 383 December 24th till 26th as well as on December [email protected] 31st and January 1st www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: Exhibition and guided tours are only How to get there: Motorway A14 exit , valid with a ticket continue along the Federal Road B107 and follow the signposting Special features: Escape Museum Oflag IV C, research concerning the history of construction, museum shop with English literature, European Youth Hostel

10 11 Dresden Fortress

Bruehl’s Terrace The Bastion – Witness of the Renaissance

nderneath the Balcony of Europe, Bruehl’s Terrace, U within the walls of the for- tification, lies the possibly oldest pre- served part of Dresden. Here, next to the 400-year-old brick gate, the oldest preserved city gate, you can find the historical remains of the medieval stronghold, the old city bridge, the small bastion, the famous casemates and many more. Mysterious vaults carry you off to a seemingly under- ground world, which represents through models how Dresden once protected itself from enemies.

Brick Gate – Dresden’s oldest preserved gate

Dresden Fortress Opening times: April till October: daily 10:00 Geschäftsstelle Brühlsche Terrasse/Zwinger/ am – 06:00 pm | November till March: daily 10:00 Theaterplatz | 01067 Dresden am – 05:00 pm | January 1st: 01:00 pm – 04:00 pm | Closed on December 24th and 31st as well as Phone +49 (0) 3 51 4 38 37 03 - 20 from Monday of the 2nd calendar week till Friday Fax +49 (0) 3 51 4 38 37 03 - 21 of the 3rd calendar week [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: Fortification and guided tours are only valid with a ticket | Bruehl’s Terrace is free, special How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden- fees may apply for special events Altstadt, in the direction of the city center, regional public transportation, steamboat Special features: Brick Gate – Dresden’s oldest preserved gate and former watch posts, free audio guides in various languages

10 11 Great Garden

The Green Heart of Dresden hen you enter the Great Garden, you step into a huge green oasis with a large variety of W free time activities. In the middle of this won- derful park landscape you can find the newly opened palace with its sculpture exhibition, the open-air stage and the park theater. While taking a gondola along Lake Carola or riding on the Great Garden Park Railway, you can get a feeling for how the landscape of an English garden and a French influenced Baroque pleasure garden harmonize.

Ueppigkeitsvase by Corradini Palace in the Great Garden

Great Garden - 06:00 pm | November till January: Sun. and bank Schlösser und Gärten Dresden holidays 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | Closed on Kavaliershaus G, Hauptallee 5 | 01219 Dresden December 24th and 31st Phone +49 (0) 3 51 44 56 600 For timetables of the Great Garden Park Railway, Fax +49 (0) 3 51 44 56 722 phone +49 (0) 3 51 44 56 795 or visit [email protected] www.schloesser-dresden.de www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: Palace and Park Railway with ticket only | How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden- Entrance to the garden is free Altstadt, in the direction of the city center, follow Special features: The children-run Park Railway, the signposting “Glass Manufactory” or “Zoo” gondola pond, sculptures in the park, exhibition Opening times: Garden freely accessible | Palace: Permoser in the Palace, in the vicinity you will find February till October: Wed. till Sat. 02:00 pm – the Botanical Garden and Dresden’s Zoo, close by 06:00 pm | Sat., Sun. and bank holidays 11:00 am there is also the Deutsches Hygienemuseum 12 13 Dresden Stable Yard

Procession of Princes and Knight Tournaments n the middle of the city, between the Palace and the Frauenkirche, you can find a piece of which has become rather I rare in Dresden: The Stable Yard, fenced in by the former stable buil- ding Kurfuerstlich Reissiger Stall and the long hallway with its Tuscan-style columns. At its back you can admire the 102-meter-long Procession of Princes. All of Saxony’s rulers have been immortalized here on 25,000 tiles from the Manufactory. The Stable Yard was originally set up for knight tournaments and as a festival area for the court and , today it is used as a suitable background again for knight tournaments, theater performances, or for the Stallhoefische Adventsspektakel, a medieval Christmas market.

Richly detailed façade of the Stable Yard with its sundial

Dresden Stable Yard Opening times: Daily from 07:00 am – 08:00 pm Schlösser und Gärten Dresden Entrance: Stable Yard entry free | Entry fees will Zwinger/Theaterplatz | 01067 Dresden be charged during special events Phone +49 (0) 3 51 49 14 96 01 Special features: The long hallway, the sundial Fax +49 (0) 3 51 49 14 96 25 and the Procession of Princes [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden- Altstadt, in the direction of the city center, regional public transportation, steamboat

12 13 Dresden Zwinger

View of the Zwinger A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Versailles Style

his was the name given to Dresden’s Zwinger by the literary scholar Hermann Hettner. The area was erected at the beginning of the 18th T century by order of Augustus the Strong as a location for court festi- vities. This unified work of Baroque art was created by the architect Matthaeus Daniel Poeppelmann and sculptor . Its impressive sandstone architecture hides some true treasures in its world famous collections: The uni- que Old Masters painting gallery, the Glockenspiel made of Meissen Porcelain, the hidden Bath of the Nymphs and one of the oldest scientific and techni- cal collections that has fascinated visitors from near and far for many years.

Schlösser und Gärten Dresden Entrance: Inner rooms | Exhibitions of the Dresden Geschäftsstelle Brühlsche Terrasse | Zwinger | State Art Collections and guided tours: admission Stallhof | 01067 Dresden only with a valid ticket | Zwinger’s courtyard is entry free | Entry fees will be charged during Phone +49 (0) 3 51 4 38 37 03 - 12 special events Fax +49 (0) 3 51 4 38 37 03 - 13 [email protected] Special events: Crown Gate, Glockenspiel, Bath www.schloesserland-sachsen.de of the Nymphs, The Wall Pavilion, The Dresden State Art Collections: the Old Masters, the Porcelain How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden- Collection, the Armory (the Mathematics and Physics Altstadt, in the direction of the city center, regional Salon will remain closed until 2009) public transportation, steamboat Opening times: The Zwinger’s inner courtyard daily from 06:00 am – 11:00 pm

14 15 Gnandstein Castle

A Picture-book Castle

axony´s best preserved fortification out of the Romanesque period, 800-year-old Gnandstein S Castle, is located on the border to Thuringia. From here, visitors can enjoy a breath-taking view of the Kohren Region. The castle was owned by the von Einsiedel family for over 500 years. The late-Gothic chapel with its three-wing altars and various works of Christian art are not all that this castle has to offer, apart from the fountain house, the donjon and the knights’ residence and hall. Valuable collections such as the “Sammlung Groß” with its amazing artifacts from various centuries make this an area worth seeing.

Vase of Opulence made of Meissen Porcelain

Overview of the Gnandstein Castle

Gnandstein Castle February till April and November: Tues. to Sun. Burgstraße 3 | 04655 Kohren-Sahlis 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | December: Tues. to Sat. 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | closed on Sun. | Bank Phone +49 (0) 3 43 44 61 309 holidays upon request | Closed Mondays, Ascension Fax +49 (0) 3 43 44 61 383 Day, December 24th, 31st and January 1st [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: Entrance fees will be charged | Guided tours will be charged extra How to get there: Motorway A4 up to Kreuz Chemnitz, continue along the Motorway A72 in the Special features: Romanesque knights’ hall, direction of , exit Niederfrohna, continue donjon, late-Gothic chapel with its three-wing along the Federal Road B95 in the direction of altars, historical castle garden, exhibitions on the Leipzig, follow the signposting castle history and Christian art, expansion of the permanent exhibition “Sammlung Groß”, a viewable Opening times: May till October: Tues. to Sun. magazine, interior rooms, a show of furniture, the 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | January: Sat. and Sun. Gnandstein toy box 14 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | Mon. to Fri. closed | 15 Gross-Sedlitz Baroque Garden Festivity Hall in the Green he Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden is Augustus the Strong’s best garden – headstrong, very T harmonic with its flower beds, orangery levels, diversified fountains and sculptures of ancient gods. Its extraordinary landscaping was inspired by French garden style and Italy. This artwork known as the Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden has remained unchanged to this day. In the summer months the Festivity Hall in the Green, the lower levels of the orangery, are decorated with 150 orange trees from Tuscany.

Sculpture “Europa”

“Stille Musik” in the lower orangery levels

Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden Opening times: April till October: daily 08:00 am – Parkstraße 85 | 01809 Heidenau 08:00 pm | November till March: daily 08:00 am till sunset, 08:00 pm at the latest | closed during periods Phone +49 (0) 35 29 56 390 of ice and snow Fax +49 (0) 35 29 56 39 99 [email protected] Entrance: Guided tours are charged extra | An www.schloesserland-sachsen.de entrance fee is charged for the park, November till March entrance is free | Special fees will apply during How to get there: Motorway A17 exit Pirna, special events continue along the Federal Road B172 in the direction of Heidenau, follow the signposting Special features: Upper and lower orangery, citrus trees in summer time, sculptures in the park e.g. the figure group “Stille Musik”

16 17 Koenigstein Fortress

View of the fortress Only to Be Conquered Touristically oenigstein Fortress has literally taken on a uni- que position among the castles and palaces of K Saxony being 240 meters above the river valley. It was considered impregnable, belongs to the largest fortifications in with its 9.5 hectares and was used by the Wettins, with its works of art and treasures, as a retreat during times of war. Koenigstein was very important in military history and looks back on over 400 years. This is even apparent in the architec- ture of the buildings upon the fortress which has many examples of various architectural periods.

Commander‘s apartment

Koenigstein Fortress Entrance: An entrance fee is charged | Exhibitions 01824 Königstein and usage of the elevator are included in the entrance fee | During events special fees may apply Phone +49 (0) 3 50 21 64 607 Fax +49 (0) 3 50 21 64 609 Special features: Well house with its water pump, [email protected] old and new armory, treasure room, Georgenburg, www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Garnisonskirche, Friedrichsburg with its “wishing- table”, a fairy tale by the Grimm brothers, interior How to get there: Motorway A17 exit Pirna, of the commander’s apartment, stable, state prison, continue along the Federal Road B172 in the glass elevator, audio guides, vacation apartments direction of Bad Schandau, steamboat Opening times: April till September: daily 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | October: daily 09:00 am – 06:00 pm | November till March: daily 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | Closed on December 24th 16 17 Kriebstein Castle

Late Gothic in Its Perfection knight´s castle rises up, almost threateningly, 45 meters above the mighty River, the domain of a ruler as one would imagine it. The fully A renovated Kriebstein Castle is one of the most beautiful knights’ castles in Saxony. The more than 620-year-old walls, which are reached by means of the steepest street in Saxony, are recognizable through their wonderful murals from Gothic and Renaissance times, the painted wood ceilings, the Kriebsteinzimmer and, last but not least, the Schatzgewoelbe, a vault of treasures.

View of Kriebstein Castle

Kriebstein Castle Opening times: April till October: Tue. to Fri. 09:00 09648 Kriebstein am – 05:00 pm, Sat., Sun. and bank holidays 10:00 am – 05:30 pm | February, March, November: Tue. Phone +49 (0) 3 43 27 95 20 to Sun. and bank holidays 10:00 am – 04:00 pm | Fax +49 (0) 3 43 27 95 222 Closed Mondays and December till mid-February [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: An entrance fee will be charged | Guided tours are charged extra How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Chemnitz-Ost, in the direction of Talsperre Kriebstein, Motorway Special features: Late-Gothic tower with living A14 exit Döbeln-Nord, in the direction of Waldheim, quarters with its superbly preserved interior follow the signposting decoration, castle chapel and Kriebsteinzimmer with its murals from the 15th century, interior rooms from late-Gothic and neo-Gothic periods, treasure vault, well house, Gothic hall, castle pub Zum Hungerturm 18 19 Lichtenwalde Castle and Park

View of the castle park

Fountains and Pleasure Garden he Lichtenwalde Castle and Park are surrounded by fabulous landscapes close to Chemnitz. Narrow, wonderful hiking trails wind their way through T this ideal park. The peace and quiet is only interrupted by the splashing of numerous fountains. The renovated castle with its red roof offers a magnificent view. Formerly the home of the family of Vitzthum von Eckstaedt, it is home to such curiosities as the first divining rod exhibition in the world today.

Lichtenwalde Castle

Lichtenwalde Castle Opening times: The castle is closed due to Schlossallee 1 | 09577 Lichtenwalde construction work until summer 2009 | The restaurant Vitzthum is open | Park open from April Phone +49 (0) 3 72 91 38 00 till October 09:00 am till 06:30 pm | Closed from Fax +49 (0) 3 72 91 38 024 November till March [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: Fees are charged for exhibitions, guided tours and park entry | During events How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Chemnitz- special fees may apply Ost, follow the signposting Special features: Exhibition at the puppet and toy museum, clock museum

18 19 Albrechtsburg Castle Schloss Weesenstein

The Cradle of Saxony and Its Porcelain

he Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen is the first castle in Germany’s architectural history. Here, the T master builder Arnold von Westfalen implemen- ted new elements of architecture such as the famous curtain arch windows and the unique cellular vaulting. A special masterpiece of this jewel of a late-Gothic Saxon Elbe River castle is its Grosser Wendelstein, a spiral staircase. Albrechtsburg Castle is also famous because of Johann Gottfried Böttger and Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, who invented the European porcelain. Subsequently Albrechtburg Castle became the home of Europe’s first porcelain manufactory. Today visitors have a true picture book regarding Saxony’s history because of the historical murals from the 19th century found here.

Albrecht the Brave Aerial photo of the castle

Albrechtsburg Castle pm | January 15th till 31st only open on Sat. and Domplatz 1 | 01662 Meißen Sun. | Closed on December 24th, 25th and 31st Phone +49 (0) 35 21 47 070 Entrance: Entrance fees apply for exhibitions and Fax +49 (0) 35 21 47 07 11 guided tours | During events special fees may apply | [email protected] The historical walking path is free during the above- www.schloesserland-sachsen.de mentioned opening times How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Nossen-Nord, Special features: Cellular vaulting and Grosser Motorway A13 exit , Motorway A14 exit Wendelstein, medieval sculptures from Saxony’s Nossen-Ost, after the exits follow the signposting, churches, lent out by the sculpture collection steamboat from the Dresden State Art Collections, exhibition “Make Gold, Boettger”, Albrechtsburg Castle and Its Opening times: March till October: daily 10:00 am Porcelain, combined ticket including the Dome, audio – 06:00 pm | November till February daily 10:00 guides, walking path around the castle grounds am – 05:00 pm | January 1st 11:00 am – 04:00 20 21 SchlossMildenstein Weesenstein Castle

View of the castle ground by night The Emperor’s Glory and Witches’ Dance

ildenstein Castle looks like something out of an old painting when viewed from the Freiberger river at sunset, gently resting M on top of porphyry rocks on the edge of the contemplative town of . Nothing hints to the torturing methods prisoners suffered here. An exhibition and the prisoners’ cells remind us of those times. A masterpiece of medieval carpenters’ art is the roof truss of the Attic Granary. Across from the donjon you can enjoy a beautiful view over Leisnig and the Muldental valley. Here the annual Walpurgis Night has reached cult status and creates a rather spooky atmosphere which attracts many broom-riding visitors to Leisnig.

Donjon

Mildenstein Castle Entrance: An entrance fee is charged | Guided Burglehn 6 | 04703 Leisnig tours are charged extra Phone +49 (0) 3 43 21 62 560 Special features: Prison cells, Romanesque castle Fax +49 (0) 3 43 21 62 56 25 chapel, knights’ halls, Donjon, Doebeln’s giant [email protected] boot, exhibitions, including one on a thousand www.schloesserland-sachsen.de years of the castle’s history, one showing sculptures from five centuries, an exhibition on How to get there: Motorway A14 exit Leisnig, medieval imprisonment and one on the history of regional train from Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz office in Leisnig Opening times: April till October: Tue. to Fri. 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | Sat. and Sun. 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | November till March: Tue. to Fri. 10:00 am – 04:00 pm Sat. and Sun: 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | Closed Mondays 20 21 Little Pheasant Castle Moritzburg Paradise in a Nutshell

o the east of Moritzburg Castle you can find the Little Pheasant Castle of Moritzburg which has finally re-opened its doors after reconstruction going T back to 2007. This Saxon late Rococo castle, built in 1770, with its harbor, mole and its recently restored lighthouse on Baernsdorfer Grossteich as well as its original furnishings and decorations has been captivating its visitors for years. The castle built according to chinoiserie examples was used as a summer house and as a representative property for Saxony’s court. And who knows, maybe some time soon, the pheasant garden will again host rococo festivities. But you can, of course, come today and while away the time or stroll around the grounds, and you need little fantasy to imagine how living here for a summer must have been. A Fairy Tale Castle and Its Treasures

Little Pheasant Castle

Moritzburg Castle and Little Pheasant Castle Opening times: April and October: daily 10:00 am 01468 Moritzburg till 05:00 pm | May till September: daily 10:00 am till 06:00 pm | Closed November till March | Tour only Phone +49 (0) 35 207 87 30 available with a guide (every half hour) | reservations Fax +49 (0) 35 207 87 311 are required due to limited number of guides [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: A fee is charged for guided tours How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden- Special features: The only castle in Saxony in the Wilder Mann, follow the signposting, Motorway original style of late Rococo, originally restored A13 exit Radeburg, follow the signposting rooms from the 18th century, priceless tapestries, recently restored lighthouse

22 23 Moritzburg Castle Paradise in a Nutshell

Castle with its ponds A Fairy Tale Castle and Its Treasures

n artificially created pond landscape surrounds the water castle in Moritzburg, which houses true treasures within. Unique leather tapestry, A priceless baroque furniture, porcelain from Meissen and Asia as well as various paintings represent the style of the times. As does the Moritzburg Feather Room with its almost two million varieties of bird feathers embedded in canvas, and Europe’s most impressive collection of game antlers. Moritzburg Castle was the location for shooting the Czech fairy tale movie “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”. Due to the international success of that motion picture, Moritzburg Castle became known throughout the world as the “Fairy Tale Castle”.

The magnificent Moritzburg Feather Room

Moritzburg Castle and Little Pheasant Castle hourly guided tours | Closed on December 24th | 01468 Moritzburg Closed on December 31st after 01:00 pm Phone +49 (0) 35 207 87 30 Entrance: Entrance to the castle grounds is free | Fax +49 (0) 35 207 87 311 Entry to exhibitions and inner rooms will be charged [email protected] | A fee will be charged for guided tours www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Special features: Hunting lodge of Augustus the How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden-Wilder Strong, impressive collection of game antlers, large Mann, follow the signposting, Motorway A13 exit collection of Baroque leather tapestry as well as Radeburg, follow the signposting porcelain, furniture and paintings from the 17th /18th centuries, Moritzburg Feather Room, an exhibition on Opening times: April till October: daily 10:00 am – what keeps body and soul together, audio guides 05:00 pm | November, December, February, March: Tue. to Sun. 10:00 am – 04:00 pm hourly guided tours | January: Sat., Sun.: 10:00 am – 04:00 pm 22 23 Nossen Castle

A White Symbol of Power ossen Castle is majestically situated upon a cliff forma- N tion above the Freiberger Mulde river as if upon a throne. The dynamic history of the castle: once a knight’s castle, once a seat for bishops and abbots, once a hunting lodge and it even served as a government building, can be seen when the castle is viewed in its entirety. The historical rooms within the hall with their Renaissance ceilings and murals send visitors back in time. A re-enacted courtroom scene helps to understand the life of electors, thieves and governmental officials. There is a lot to be discovered here: the cellar, the vaults, the dungeon, the fascinating historical library and emotion-filled impressionistic lands- cape paintings.

View of the castle’s courtyard

Nossen Castle Entrance: An entrance fee is charged for the Am Schloss 3 | 01683 Nossen castle grounds | Guided tours are charged extra | A combined ticket is available for the Altzella monastery Phone +49 (0) 35 242 50 430 park | During events special fees apply Fax +49 (0) 35 242 504 33 [email protected] Special features: Exhibitions on the castle, duties www.schloesserland-sachsen.de and hunting, on “Otto Altenkirch”, a lifetime between landscape and the Dresden stage, on nature, the How to get there: Motorway A4 exit , fountain of life, on the Schoenberg family traced back Motorway A14 exit Nossen-Ost, follow the over eight centuries signposting Opening times: February till December: Tue. to Fri. 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | Sat., Sun. and bank holidays 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | Closed December 24th, 31st, all of January and Mondays 24 25 Pillnitz Castle and Park

A White Symbol of Power View across the river to the Water Palace

Lightness and Flower Power

he best way to visit Pillnitz Castle and Park is on an Elbe River steamboat. This way you have the T chance, along the river, to let the UNESCO World Heritage with its former royal pleasure palace overcome you. These grounds are a perfect example of pleasure and fun in Baroque times. The Mountain Palace and the Water Palace were both built in the style of chinoiserie and, together with the New Palace, create a very harmonic picture, which is surrounded by a splendid pleasure garden. Within this spa- cious park, there are numerous special features to wonder Flora statue in the upon. One of these happens to be the over 250-year-old castle park famous Japanese Camellia, blooming from mid-February till mid-April. In the winter time it is protected by a green house open to the public. In early spring you can acquire offshoots from this famous Camellia.

Pillnitz Castle and Park weekends 11:00 am – 02:00 pm hourly guided Schlösser und Gärten Dresden tours | Camellia greenhouse: mid-February till August-Böckstiegel-Straße 2 | 01326 Dresden mid-April daily 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | Visitor information and museum are closed on December Phone +49 (0) 3 51 26 13 260 24th and 31st Fax +49 (0) 3 51 26 13 280 [email protected] Entrance: An entrance fee is charged for the www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Camellia green house, palm-tree house and exhibitions How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Dresden- Hellerau, in the direction of Pillnitz, Motorway A17 Special features: Mountain Palace and Water exit Pirna, in the direction of Radeberg, exit Graupa, Palace with pieces from the Dresden State Art steamboat Collection (May till October), Castle Museum in the New Palace with its royal court kitchen, Camellia, Opening times: Castle park 05:00 am till sunset | palm-tree house, garden and landscape park with Castle museum: April till October 10:00 am – 05:00 its pavilions, vacation apartments 24 pm | Closed Mondays | November till March only on 25 Rammenau Castle

Frontal view of the castle A Baroque Gem

00 years ago Ernst Ferdinand von Knoch, the builder of Rammenau Castle, recognized the beauty of this area and decided to build the castle here. This 3 former country estate appeals to visitors not only for its harmonization of and Classicistic decorations. The illusional murals, stylistic salons and priceless porcelain are just as beautiful as the monuments dating from the castle’s history and its times as a manor. By the way, the philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte was born in Rammenau in 1762.

Magnificent staircase with its architectural painting

Rammenau Castle Opening times: April till October: daily 10:00 am – 06:00 Am Schloss 4 | 01877 Rammenau pm | November till March: daily 10:00 am – 04:00 pm, Sat. 12:00 pm – 04:00 pm | Closed on December 24th Phone +49 (0) 35 94 70 35 59 Fax +49 (0) 35 94 70 59 83 Entrance: An entrance fee is charged for the entire [email protected] grounds | Guided tours are charged extra | During events www.schloesserland-sachsen.de special fees may apply How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Burkau, in Special features: Mirror hall, spacious park, J.G. Fichte the direction of Rammenau, follow the signposting memorial, exhibitions regarding the castle’s history and construction, information center for the crafts street “Handwerk erleben”, concerts, offers for culinary delights in historical ambience

26 27 Rochlitz Castle

View of the castle with its two towers Medieval Symbol of Power

ochlitz Castle presents itself, full of architectural surprises, high above the Muldental Valley. This powerful and filigree castle, with its impregnable R walls, is full of contradictions and was the residence of many famous family members of Saxony’s royalty. Rochlitz Castle is structurally unchanged and enclosed by two bulky towers, also known as Jupen. Here you can experience, first hand, how life must have been in a medieval castle. You should not forget to visit the castle’s kitchen from the 14th century, the reconstruc- ted 34-meter-high tower living quarters and the gloomy dungeon. Since May 2007 the castle has also become the home of the life-size reproduc- tion of Dresden’s Procession of Princes, a unique genealogy of Saxony’s rulers. The living Procession of Princes

Rochlitz Castle 04:00 pm | Closed on December 24th and 31st and Sörnziger Weg 1 | 09306 Rochlitz on January 1st Phone +49 (0) 37 37 49 23 10 Entrance: An entrance fee is charged | Guided tours Fax +49 (0) 37 37 49 23 12 are charged extra [email protected] Special features: Historical castle rooms in www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Romanesque and Renaissance styles, castle kitchen How to get there: Motorway A14 exit Döbeln-Nord, from the 14th century, the two castle towers: the continue along the Federal Roads B169 and B175, Lichte Jupe (with its viewing platform) and the Motorway A4 exit Chemnitz-Ost, continue along the Finstere Jupe (with its torture chamber, the angst Federal Road B107, follow the signposting hole and the tower living quarters), Dresden’s Procession of Princes permanently on show Opening times: February till October: Tue. to Sun. 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | November till January: only open on Sat., Sun. and bank holidays 11:00 am – 26 27 Scharfenstein Castle Schloss Weesenstein

Scharfenstein Castle The Creative Experience

ust like Gnandstein Castle, Scharfen- stein Castle also belonged to the J Einsiedel family for many years. Today -- a different family calls this 800-year-old castle their home, the Christmas figurines of the Ore Mountain handicrafts. Visitors experience The Longing for Light, which has had its influence on the entire region, in a lovingly decorated museum. Here, exhibitions of angels, nutcrackers, pyramids and carved illuminating arches that are called Schwibbogen provide an insight into their early stages of origin and their respective tools. A viewable production area, the hands-on area “ErlebnisZeit” and a small shop spark the creativity of the visitors.

The lighted angel

Scharfenstein Castle Opening times: April till October: Tue. to Sun. Schlossberg 1 | 09435 Scharfenstein 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | November till March: Tue. to Sun. 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | Closed on Mondays Phone +49 (0) 37 25 70 720 (except on bank holidays) and on December 24th, Fax +49 (0) 37 25 70 72 50 on December 31st closed after 02:00 pm [email protected] www.schloesserland-sachsen.de Entrance: An entrance fee is charged for exhibitions, climbing the tower, guided tours | How to get there: Motorway A72 exit Chemnitz- Castle grounds and park are free | During events a Süd, continue in the direction of Zschopau, special entrance fee may apply then follow the signposting, Motorway A4 exit Chemnitz-Nord, continue in the direction of Special features: Ore Mountain’s Christmas and Zschopau, and then follow the signposting Toy Museum, Karl Stuelpner Museum and an exhibition regarding the castle’s history, the donjon and the cistern

28 29 Stolpen Castle

The Fated Years of a Mistress he Stolpen Castle is not just famous for its recognizable towers T|and for being situated upon a rock of basalt. Its fame is also due to the Countess Cosel. The rejected mistress of Augustus the Strong died after having been imprisoned here for 49 years and was buried in the castle chapel: An exhibition informs visitors as to her life and her Painting of the exile. However, the dark dungeon, the twisted cellar Countess Cosel vaults, the torture chamber, and the hunger hole tell a very different story. Namely, that Stolpen Castle was deeply involved in many of Saxony’s war disputes. The world’s deepest, authentic and hand-hewn basalt water well and the fantastic view from the castle’s courts and towers make this place a very special tourist attraction.

View of the towers: Seigerturm and Johannisturm (Coselturm)

Stolpen Castle Opening times: April till October: daily 09:00 Schlossstraße 10 | 01833 Stolpen am – 06:00 pm | November till March: daily 10:00 am – 04:00 pm (weather permitting) | Closed on Phone +49 (0) 3 59 73 23 410 December 24th Fax +49 (0) 3 59 73 23 419 [email protected] Entrance: An entry fee is charged for the entire www.schloesserland-sachsen.de grounds, guided tours are charged extra, for larger events special fees may apply How to get there: Motorway A4 exit Ottendorf- Okrilla, follow the signposting, also along the Special features: Basalt fortification, castle with Federal Road B6 four courts, exhibition about Countess Cosel’s life and imprisonment and her grave, the well, geological exhibition on Saxon basalt rock, newly restored Seigerturm

28 29 Weesenstein Castle Schloss Weesenstein Its Character is Change he ability to adapt has become part of this castle’s character: for 700 years it has been built, torn down, changed, and preserved. In this way, T an architectonic curiosity has been created comprising elements from Gothic to Classicism: Housing such sights as the ballroom in the attic, the stables on the fifth floor, the cellar vaults below, and the lordship’s quarters another floor lower. These walls became famous as they belonged to King Johann von Sachsen in the 19th century. At the foot of this monumental castle settled in a throne of rock, you can find a park and garden area of French design. This creates a won- derful contrast to the seemingly untouched wilderness of the cliffs surrounding Weesenstein Castle.

Overview of Weesenstein Castle

Weesenstein Castle Entrance: An entry fee is charged for exhibitions Am Schlossberg 1 | 01809 Müglitztal and guided tours, the castle grounds and park are free | For special events additional fees may apply Phone +49 (0) 3 50 27 62 60 Fax +49 (0) 3 50 27 62 628 Special features: The princely inner rooms with [email protected] wallpaper from the 18th and 19th centuries, www.schloesserland-sachsen.de permanent exhibition on the castle’s history with a focus on Buenau and the Wettins of the 19th How to get there: Motorway A17 exit Pirna, in the century, the Baroque castle chapel, the castle direction of Glashütte, Federal Road B172 in the brewery, the restaurant in the royal kitchen, audio direction of Altenberg, follow the signposting guides Opening times: April till October: daily 09:00 am – 06:00 pm | November till March: daily 10:00 am – 05:00 pm | Closed on December 24th

30 The Quality of Service The Palaces, Castles and Gardens in Saxony take responsibility for the quality of service and do not wish to allow the satisfaction of our customers be subject to chance. Almost all of our facilities have been awarded the “Q”, an award for quality. Because of this, we see ourselves as a quality team and are striving for first class service.

Opening times in Schloesserland Sachsen are: In the summer season our sights are generally open from 10:00 am till 06:00 pm, in the winter season from 10:00 am till 04:00 pm, but we are closed for December 24th. For more information regarding opening times visit the respective Internet sites of the individual properties.

Entry fees in Schloesserland Sachsen Along with all regular entrance fees the following discounts are available for all of our facilities:

· Concession prices for children between 6 and 15 years of age, pupils, apprentices, students, handicapped, recipients of unemployment funds, for those doing military or civil service, members of ICOM (International Council of Museums), ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and the German Association of Art Historians, only applicable with valid ID · Special discounts for adults with children · Groups of more than 15 can principally enjoy a discount of 20% · School groups will enjoy special discounts · Free entrance for people on their dates of birth, children younger than six, a person accompanying a handicapped person, tour guides, bus drivers, chaperons for 10 or more pupils, press workers, only applicable with valid ID

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