Germany > Moritzburg castle

Moritzburg castle

Today's municipality Moritzburg has its origins in the rural municipality of Eisenberg which was first mentioned in 1295.

In 1542, Duke Moritz of Saxony had built his first hunting residence on the granitic elevation. Just a few years later, the castle was named right after him - Moritzburg. The municipality got the double name Moritzburg-Eisenberg in the late 19th century and was finally labeled like the castle in 1934.

For centuries, Moritzburg had become the favoured hunting ground for the Saxon sovereign, the “Wettiner”. Today's cultural landscape with the created ponds for carp farming and a lane star for the hunt was significantly affected by the Wettin family. The baroque palace stills forms today's center of our cultural landscape.

The neighboring towns Auer, Boxdorf, Friedewald, Reichenberg and Steinbach were consolidated in the nineties of the last century forming the present municipality Moritzburg. With now six districts, Moritzburg has developed from a farming village into a modern town which attracts guests with its cultural and natural diversity.

From the platform of the mill, at 240 meters altitude, the view extends over the beautiful landscape of the Elbe Valley.

Moritzburg Castle

Winter time is fairy tale time: August the Strong presents the key to Cinderella! The Moritzburg Castle had also been the backdrop for the German-Czech cult movie „Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella" and became increasingly famous since the fairy tale was shot in 1972/1973. The special exhibition, which carries the same name as the film, has already With a much larger area, the exhibition dedicates more room to the actors and the actual plot. Some of the baroque ballrooms, and of course the original movie sites around the castle, will be included within the new concept. Similarly the offer for Families with children will be extended. In addition to the exhibition, several events will be held.

The former hunting and pleasure lodge locates a scenic setting on a small island. August the Strong, Elector of Saxony and also King of Poland, reconstructed the former renaissance castle generously. He even altered the surrounding ponds, meadows and forests to meet his dreams. This led to the court.

Inside the baroque castle, magnificent furniture, paintings, porcelains and precious leather hangings still reflect the court living culture in the 18th century. Moreover, there is a sumptuous collection of hunting trophies and, of course, the famous Feather Room - a masterpiece consisting of two million colorful feathers - and August's Parade bed. Furthermore, the chapel from the second half of the 17th century belongs to the impressive buildings of the early baroque in Saxony.

Opening hours (Moritzburg Castle and Feather Room):

• February/March, aturday/Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm (last entrance)
• 1st April to 3rd October, open daily, 10 am to 5 pm (last entrance)
• The castle will be closed from 4th October to 1 st April due to extensive remodeling works for the Cinderella exhibition.
• Feather Room and baroque exhibition reopen on 1st April .