Burg Gnandstein

About the museum

The castle stands on a porphyrite rock above the Wyhra valley and probably goes back to the lords of Schladebach, ministerials in the service of the Margrave of Meissen. In the 13th century a curtain wall with a residential tower was built, followed between about 1220 and 1230 by the four-story palas (great hall), regarded as one of the best-preserved Romanesque residential buildings in Saxony. Shortly afterward came the outer bailey wall and the 33-meter keep, whose entrance was originally reachable only by ladder.

After the Schladebach family left and a period under the burgraves of Leisnig, the von Einsiedel family is documented at Gnandstein from 1409; they owned the castle for around five centuries. At the end of the 15th century, Heinrich von Einsiedel had the late Gothic chapel built, with three carved winged altarpieces attributed to the woodcarver Peter Breuer. In the 18th and 19th centuries the complex was remodeled and repaired several times.

In the early 20th century, Hanns von Einsiedel opened the chapel and the Knights' Hall to visitors and set up a local history museum. After expropriation in 1945, the castle became state property. Since 1990, archaeological excavations and extensive stabilization work have made a careful reconstruction of the buildings possible. Today the Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen gGmbH runs the museum, with historic living quarters from the Baroque to Neoclassicism, a visible storage area, an armory and the Groß Collection, donated to the Free State of Saxony in 2004.

Highlights

• Romanesque palas (great hall) from the early 13th century
• Late Gothic castle chapel with three winged altarpieces attributed to Peter Breuer
• Groß Collection of decorative arts spanning seven centuries
• Armory with suits of armor, crossbows and hunting weapons
• 33-meter keep (expected to be closed for construction work until 2027)

Permanent exhibitions

• Begegnung mit dem Schönen – Die Sammlung Groß – Around 300 works of art assembled by a Bavarian-Saxon family, from the late Middle Ages to Art Nouveau, including sculptures, paintings, furniture, porcelain and jewelry, displayed in the south wing.
• Schaumagazin und Keramikgewölbe – Glass, porcelain, faience, pewter, textiles and furniture from the museum's holdings, plus a presentation on ceramic materials featuring works by Kurt Feuerriegel.
• Waffenkammer – Cutting, thrusting and firearms from the 16th to the 20th century, armor for rider and horse, and hunting equipment such as decorated crossbows.

Operated by

Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen gGmbH

Admission & discounts

Free admission for, among others, visitors on their birthday, holders of the schlösserlandKARTE (including special exhibitions) and of the Landesfamilienpass Sachsen (Saxon family pass; not valid for events, special exhibitions and guided tours), tour guides and bus drivers, journalists, and members of ICOM, ICOMOS and the Deutscher Museumsbund. Tickets at the museum ticket desk (cash or card) or in the online shop. Exhibition guide booklet for children €2.50.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle is not accessible: the ticket desk is 4 steps and the exhibition on the second floor 27 steps above the courtyard, and other rooms can only be reached by stairs. The castle courtyard has historic cobblestones, and the restrooms are 2 steps above the courtyard. People with disabilities can be driven into the castle courtyard to get out of the vehicle.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Museum education programs for daycare and school children (including a knight program, fairy-tale and herb activities for 5- to 9-year-olds, radio play, coats of arms and costumes, soap making, a Middle Ages project day); all programs can also be booked as a children's birthday party, plus holiday programs. The exhibition rooms are reachable only by stairs.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A72, exit Geithain, toward Rodaer Dorfstraße/B7; in Kohren-Sahlis, follow Gnandsteiner Hauptstraße to Burgstraße. Due to road construction, Gnandsteiner Hauptstraße has been fully closed from the direction of Dolsenhain since March 16, 2026.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Café-restaurant in the castle courtyard with indoor and outdoor seating (Café Restaurant Hotel Burg Gnandstein, run by a leaseholder). Dogs are not allowed in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 70 guests.

The Palas Hall (56 banquet / 70 theater-style seats) and the castle chapel (40 seats) are available for celebrations, conferences and concerts; weddings in the Palas Hall (60 seats) and in the chapel. Celebrations are also possible in the rooms of the castle restaurant.

Plan your visit