Lapidarium Schloss Hartenfels Torgau

About the museum

The lapidarium is located in the oldest vaults of Hartenfels Castle. The Untere Hofstube and the Hasenturm date back to the construction period of the 15th century, when members of the court household ate in the Hofstube. Excavations here also uncovered Slavic pottery, which recalls the beginnings of the castle complex in the 10th century. Adjoining is the vault beneath the castle church of 1518, from which the cellar under the Flaschenturm (Bottle Tower) can be reached.

The current exhibition opened in 2003, after the Initiativkreis Schloss Hartenfels had removed all fittings from the former civil defense command post. Since then, ornamental sandstone architecture and sculptural works from the building history of the castle have been shown here as a museum collection.

Also on view are remains of the riding ramp in the Flaschenturm, by which the electors reached their chambers on horseback; the opening of the hollow central column, through which wine and beer were hauled up with a pulley to the electoral table; the well of the Hofstube; the late Gothic stairway to the lost spiral staircase; and cells from the castle's time as a prison. The artworks include the gravestone of the master builder Konrad Krebs, which reached the lapidarium via several stations from Torgau's Hospitalkirchhof.

Highlights

• Oldest vaults of Hartenfels Castle (15th century)
• Gravestone of the master builder Konrad Krebs
• Remains of the riding ramp in the Flaschenturm
• Prison cells from the castle's history
• Slavic pottery as evidence of the 10th-century castle

Permanent exhibition

• Steinerne Zeugen – Lapidarium – Original sandstone architecture and sculptural works in the castle's oldest vaults convey its building history.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Stadt- und Kulturgeschichtliches Museum Torgau

Admission & discounts

Specialist guided tours for 7 to 30 people: €55 (up to 45 min.), €70 (up to 60 min.) or €105 (up to 90 min.), plus reduced admission. School classes: €1 admission plus a €2 guided tour fee per pupil; one accompanying adult free.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Access via the Elbtor, the former main entrance for the electors, or from the castle courtyard through the passage to the Elbtor.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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