Königstein Fortress, Stolpen Castle, Weesenstein Palace, Großsedlitz Baroque Garden: History has left architectural pearls in Saxon Switzerland. The historic Electoral State and later Kingdom of Saxony reveals its defensible and majestic side as well as its intellectual and emotional facet.

What makes a stronghold unconquerable? What was a countess guilty of to be banned to a secluded castle for the rest of her life? Which of the Saxon kings was a brilliant translator of literature? And where is one of Germany’s most authentic baroque gardens? Culture lovers find answers to these questions in Saxon Switzerland.

This place is legendary. Königstein Fortress is one of Europe’s greatest and most spectacular mountain forts. For a long time it was considered to be the safest place of Saxony. In case of danger, dukes and electors went there to hide themselves, their retinues and their treasures. In peaceful times, the fortress saw many a lavish feast and illustrious hunting excursion. The imposing stronghold of 10 ha surface area served many different purposes during its 750-year-long history: It was a monastery and a state prison, a prisoner-of-war camp, a war hospital and more. Today the impressive ensemble of late Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and 19th century buildings is one of the most important sights of Germany and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

Königstein Fortress

Großsedlitz Baroque Garden is a treasure of Saxon garden design. More than 500 potted plants, grand stairs, water fountains,  wide sight lines, more than 60 sandstone sculptures and decorative vases make up a perfectly shaped ensemble of late Baroque style. The general layout of the park arranged in the years between 1719 and 1732 has been maintained almost completely. To this day, visitors can wander in the same parterres and garden spaces as back in the time of Augustus the Strong’s courtly society.

From April to October flower beds with various baroque plant arrangements are an attraction to visitors as well as a setting for stunning events and wonderful permanent exhibitions in the orangery buildings open from June to September.

Großsedlitz Baroque Garden

Stolpen Castle at the edge of Saxon Switzerland has been besieged, defended, conquered and reconstructed many times during its history. Apart from that, one of the deepest wells in the world driven in basalt is to be found here. The castle was built on an extinct volcano, but has become famous first of all for the moving fate of Countess Cosel. This probably best-known woman in Saxon history was kept in prison here for 49 years after she had fallen into Augustus the Strong’s disgrace. Nobody else lived longer than her in the castle in all its 800 year-long history. The castle’s remains are kept in an excellent condition and many exhibits bring Countess Cosel’s tragic story and other events in the turbulent history of this place to life as well.

Stolpen Castle

“Weesenstein lies not easy, but the more appears proud and surprising.” wrote a fascinated visitor as early as in 1801. Modern-day tourists might feel the same way when the majestic palace opens suddenly upon their eyes on a clifftop above Müglitztal Valley. Over at least 700 years, Weesenstein Palace has been constructed and demolished, modified and maintained. The result is a building which bears traces from Gothic to Neoclassical styles in its walls. The palace is a curiosity of architecture as it was built from top to bottom, always around the rock. Thus, the tower is centuries older than the winter garden below it, the horse stables are in the fifth floor but the ballroom right under the roof. Also the French style inspired garden arrangement is worth seeing.

Weesenstein Palace

Welcome to the home of camellias! Zuschendorf Country Manor is first of all a must-see spot for garden lovers. It houses not only Germany’s biggest and most important camellia collection but also boasts of hundreds of bonsai trees, azalea, hydrangea and potted ivy plants inviting visitors to stroll, discover and marvel.

Zuschendorf Country Manor

Sonnenstein Castle is a landmark seen from afar rising above the old town centre of Pirna. Since its first mentioning in a document in 1269 it has been a castle, a garrison, a therapeutic institution, a state-run factory and is now the seat of Saxon Switzerland and Eastern Ore Mountains district administration. Its appearance has changed with the various purposes it served. The defence installations and ramparts date back to the 17th century whereas Canaletto’s paintings of 1752-55 feature the castle’s riverside wing about 20 years after it was built. Today the ensemble is marked mainly by the neo-Renaissance style buildings erected for the therapeutic institution in the 19th century.  The Pirna Tourist Service offers guided tours of the area.

Sonnenstein Castle Guided Tours