Hartenfels Castle

Hartenfels Castle is an impressive testimony to the early German Renaissance and the only one of its kind to have been completely preserved to this day. The splendour of this era is palpable as soon as you enter the magnificent castle courtyard. An architectural masterpiece is the Grand Wendelstein, a self-supporting staircase that leads upwards without a central pillar - a pioneering achievement by master builder Konrad Krebs.

Hartenfels Palace was once one of the most modern residential palaces in Saxony and was the venue for glittering festivals, state diets and weddings. Under Elector Johann Friedrich, it also developed into an important centre for the cultivation of music. After the Saxon electors moved their seat of government to Dresden, the use of the palace changed - it later served as barracks, among other things.

Thanks to extensive restoration work, Hartenfels Castle now shines again in its historical splendour. Visitors can experience the castle's eventful history in a variety of ways: through tours, high-calibre exhibitions or exclusive special guided tours. Some areas of the castle are still in use today and house the administrative offices of the District Office of North Saxony, which owns the complex.

The castle courtyard is transformed into an impressive backdrop for music events and theatre performances, making Hartenfels Castle a lively place that unites history and culture in a unique way.

Get an overview now! Take a look at the orientation map (German) and discover all the highlights at a glance.