Pirna's landmark with fortress character, memorial and viewpoint, today the seat of the district administration, accessible with guided tours.
Schloss Sonnenstein looks back on a long history. First mentioned in 1269, it has been used as a castle, garrison, sanatorium and state-owned business over the centuries. After a long period of decay, the complex was extensively renovated and has been the seat of the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district administration since 2011.
The bastions and fortifications from the 18th century are now accessible during events such as the Sculpture Summer. A walk through the 19th-century terraced gardens is particularly worthwhile. They are open all year round and offer sweeping views over Pirna, the Elbe Valley and, on a clear day, as far as Dresden.
The Pirna-Sonnenstein memorial is a quiet, impressive place on the castle grounds. It provides information about the use of the building as a killing center during the Nazi era. A permanent exhibition commemorates the victims and makes the historical significance of the site tangible.
