Residence of the Ernestine electors & political center of the Reformation, the only preserved palace of the early German Renaissance.
Anyone entering the castle courtyard for the first time is promised a magnificent spatial impression. Hartenfels Castle is considered to be the only surviving early Renaissance castle in Germany.
Hartenfels, now the seat of the North Saxony District Office, was considered one of the most modern residential castles in Saxony in the 16th century. It was the scene of various historically significant events over the centuries. The names Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise and John Frederick the Magnanimous are closely associated with its history. In addition, numerous anecdotes recall important personalities such as Tsar Peter I, Lucas Cranach and Napoleon. In Wing D of the castle, the Dresden State Art Collections, in cooperation with the district of North Saxony and the large district town of Torgau, are presenting the exhibition "Torgau. Residence of the Renaissance and Reformation". In Wing B, the exhibition "STANDFEST. BIBLEFEST. DRINKING FESTIVAL." Elector Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous and his wife Sibylle - elaborately digitally animated - guide visitors through the history of the castle.
The Great Wendelstein, the castle church, the lapidarium in the lower court room and the exhibition "Torgau as a Place of Remembrance" can also be visited.
Two brown bears live in the castle's bear pit, and it's not just the little castle visitors who enjoy them.
Castle church
The castle chapel is considered to be one of the first new Protestant church buildings in the world. It was the only church building to be commissioned by Martin Luther himself with a sermon on October 5, 1544. It was here that the reformer's ideas for a Protestant church service were first translated into architecture.
Lapidarium
In the Lower Court Room, the oldest part of the palace, with its unique medieval building fabric and in the impressive vaults beneath the palace church, visitors can experience an interesting excursion into the architectural history of the palace. The Lapidarium (Latin for stone collection) allows "stone witnesses" to tell the story of the castle.
Hausmannsturm
The medieval tower of Hartenfels Castle, which is a stately 53 meters high, connects the late Gothic Albrecht building with the magnificent early Renaissance Johann Friedrich building.
Hartenfels, now the seat of the North Saxony District Office, was considered one of the most modern residential castles in Saxony in the 16th century. It was the scene of various historically significant events over the centuries. The names Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise and John Frederick the Magnanimous are closely associated with its history. In addition, numerous anecdotes recall important personalities such as Tsar Peter I, Lucas Cranach and Napoleon. In Wing D of the castle, the Dresden State Art Collections, in cooperation with the district of North Saxony and the large district town of Torgau, are presenting the exhibition "Torgau. Residence of the Renaissance and Reformation". In Wing B, the exhibition "STANDFEST. BIBLEFEST. DRINKING FESTIVAL." Elector Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous and his wife Sibylle - elaborately digitally animated - guide visitors through the history of the castle.
The Great Wendelstein, the castle church, the lapidarium in the lower court room and the exhibition "Torgau as a Place of Remembrance" can also be visited.
Two brown bears live in the castle's bear pit, and it's not just the little castle visitors who enjoy them.
Castle church
The castle chapel is considered to be one of the first new Protestant church buildings in the world. It was the only church building to be commissioned by Martin Luther himself with a sermon on October 5, 1544. It was here that the reformer's ideas for a Protestant church service were first translated into architecture.
Lapidarium
In the Lower Court Room, the oldest part of the palace, with its unique medieval building fabric and in the impressive vaults beneath the palace church, visitors can experience an interesting excursion into the architectural history of the palace. The Lapidarium (Latin for stone collection) allows "stone witnesses" to tell the story of the castle.
Hausmannsturm
The medieval tower of Hartenfels Castle, which is a stately 53 meters high, connects the late Gothic Albrecht building with the magnificent early Renaissance Johann Friedrich building.
