Saxony’s most spellbinding palaces and castles
21.07.2023 - 07:50
/ roughguides.com
Germany is the country for fairytale castles and nowhere does this become more obvious than in Saxony. Featuring a good 1,000 palaces, castles and fortresses, often coming with beautiful parks and gardens, the region which borders both the Czech Republic and Poland provides rich grounds for lovers of magnificent architecture and beautiful landscaping.
Visitors will find a wide range of styles in delightful locations, be it Medieval, Baroque or Renaissance structures, and many of them are related to the region’s most famous ruler, Augustus the Strong.
Augustus liked his residences to make an impression. We’ve rounded up our top picks for a perfect castle road trip.
Towering on a hill above the Elbe River in the town of Meissen, Albrechtsburg is masterpiece of late Gothic architecture and the first castle erected in Germany solely for residential purposes.
Built in the 15th century, it not only became the residence of the Wettin dynasty but, in 1710, also the cradle of porcelain production in Europe when Augustus the Strong established the now world-famous Meissen porcelain factory inside the castle.
Today, with its historical wall paintings dating back to the 19th century, Albrechtsburg presents a true picture book of Saxon history. Tip: Try the HistoPad for an immersive tour of the castle! The device takes visitors through three epochs and – aided by some modern technology – lets you “attend” a farewell banquet given in honour of Frederick the Wise in 1493, when he set off on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
You'll also discover the secrets of Saxon porcelain production in the 18th and 19th centuries and explore the collections of paintings hidden in the castle during World War II.
Albrechtsburg castle, fairytale castles on the Elbe River © Sebastian Rose
Looking for a proper fairytale setting? Moritzburg Castle is the one. The pretty Baroque palace near Dresden sits on an island in the middle of a small lake and makes for great photos. Augustus the Strong used it as his hunting lodge and pleasure palace in the 18th century, staging lavish parties there.
The interior design is quite something with leather wallpaper and a “feather room” featuring wall hangings made from natural and artificial feathers. In line with the extravagant and flamboyant taste of Augustus, his countryside retreat comes with a few more extras, namely the Little Pheasant Castle in the surrounding park and a harbour with a jetty and Saxony’s only lighthouse.
Should you be wondering, this was used as a backdrop when re-enacting naval battles, which is how aristocrats got their kicks back then.
Moritzburg castle and its fairytale setting © Franco Cogoli
Dresden’s impressive Zwinger palace is another stunning structure that has Augustus the