Castles and Churches

If you are a lover of old castles and palaces, you will be happy in our region, because you will not know which of the many historical and architecturally valuable buildings to start with. So here are some tips from us.

Albrechtsburg

Let's start with the castle, which dominates the view from our house - the Albrechtsburg. It was built in 929 by King Henry I as a fortification over the river Elbe.

A few years later, the ruling brothers Ernst and Albrecht von Wettin decided that the Albrechtsburg was to become an administrative centre of Saxony and had the wooden defensive structure converted into a late Gothic castle.

Unfortunately, the castle was never used as an administrative centre and only in 1710, after August the Strong decided to make porcelain here, a lively activity took place in the castle again. Europe's first porcelain manufactory was thus founded. All in all, Meissen porcelain was produced in the castle for 153 years until it was finally restored to a Gothic castle.

Today you can admire the old vaults and walls in Albrechtsburg Castle, visit one of the exhibitions or one of the numerous events. A visit is definitely worthwhile.

Albrechtsburg
Cathedral Square 1
Distance from hotel approx. 1.3 km

Opening hours
March to October: Daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
November to February: Daily from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Closed on 24 and 25 December, on 1 January from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The Cathedral of Meissen

For more than 1,000 years, the Cathedral of Meissen has been standing right next to Albrechtsburg Castle and therefore offers a unique sight in combination with the late Gothic castle. Especially if you see the river Elbe in front of the buildings from our house. You can visit the medieval Bishop's Church, of course, guided tours are offered in German, English, French and Russian.

Opening hours and guides tours
May to October: Daily from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Guided tours daily from 10:00 a.m. almost every hour
Guided tours of the tower every hour from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

November to March: Daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Guided tours according to notice board

April: Daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Guided tours daily from 10:00 a.m. almost every hour

Wackerbarth Castle

Wackerbarth Castle is situated in the middle of the Saxon Elbe valley in a picturesque landscape. Situated in the middle of the vineyards, the castle was already a popular place to celebrate festivities and since then the tradition of winegrowing has been cultivated here. Here you will find one of the oldest sparkling wine cellars in Europe, which still ferment the grapes in the bottles in a very classical way. You can marvel at the production and the winery's experience with guided tours on a daily basis.

Wackerbarth Castle Wackerbarth State Wine Estate of Saxony
Wackerbarth Street 1
01445 Radebeul/ Dresden
Distance from hotel approx. 13 km

Opening hours
Closed in January
February to March: Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m., Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
April to December: Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 noon until 10:00 p.m., Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Castle Moritzburg

It's like you ended up right in the fairy tale. In 1542 Duke Moritz had the hunting lodge built in Renaissance style and soon it became the hunting centre of Saxony. Over the years, a castle chapel was finally built in which worship services are still held today.

But August the Strong had other plans for the hunting lodge in his time. He wanted to convert the Moritzburg into a baroque hunting and pleasure palace. Exotic animals such as lions and cheetahs were to find a new home in the enclosures, dissipated banquets and staged naval battles planned on the castle pond. Only August the Strong dreamt of such festivals, however, so the remodelling work after his death remained unfinished and only the pheasant's castle provides for a bit of exotic flair today.

Visit some of the 200 lavishly designed rooms of the Moritzburg during your visit. You can find out more about opening hours here.

Moritzburg Castle
01468 Moritzburg
Distance from hotel approx. 17 km