- Type
- Castle
- Built
- 1471 · 15th century
- Site origins
- 929 per Wikidata – an earlier stronghold or first mention
- Style
- Gothic architecture
- Architect
- Arnold von Westfalen
- Coordinates
- 51.1666°, 13.4714°
History
On a rocky hill above the Elbe King Henry the Fowler founded a stronghold in 929, from which grew the town of Meissen and the Margraviate of Meissen. The present castle was begun in 1471 by the architect Arnold of Westphalia for the brothers Ernest and Albert of the House of Wettin. Instead of a fortress he created a spacious residence with large windows, which is why it counts as the first German palace-castle. After the Wettin lands were divided in 1485 the court moved to Dresden and the building long remained unfinished. From 1710 to 1863 it housed the porcelain manufactory founded by Augustus the Strong, and after the works moved out the castle was restored.
What to see
The castle stands beside the Gothic cathedral on the hill above Meissen's old town. Its treasures are the cell vaults of its halls and the Great Wendelstein, a spiral staircase set into the courtyard façade. The walls of the halls are covered with 19th-century history paintings, and the exhibition tells the story of the Wettins and the birth of European porcelain.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q679009
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