Museum Burg Hohnstein

About the museum

Hohnstein Castle was built around 1200 during the eastern settlement as the administrative center of a manorial lordship in the catchment area of the Polenz. In the 14th century the Bohemian noble family of the Berken von der Duba sat here, protecting trade routes and the border with the March of Meissen. In 1443 the complex passed by purchase and exchange to the Saxon elector Frederick the Gentle, and from then on it served as a district administrative seat, court site, state prison and electoral hunting lodge. The original wooden buildings were replaced by stone buildings in the 17th and 18th centuries; in 1639 the castle withstood a Swedish siege.

In the 19th century it was used as a men's correctional facility and later as a youth prison. In 1924 the Deutsches Herbergswerk (German Hostel Association) took over the castle and made it the largest youth hostel in Germany, with around 1,000 beds; from 1928 the Hohnstein Hand Puppet Theatre under Max Jacob was also based here. In the Nazi era the castle initially served as a so-called protective custody camp for about 5,600 political prisoners, later as a Reich youth hostel, during the war as a prisoner-of-war camp and afterward as accommodation for refugees. After 1948 it remained one of the largest youth hostels in the GDR.

Today the castle is a day-trip destination with freely accessible grounds, an observation tower, museum rooms on castle history, the women's bunker, dining and overnight accommodation. A comprehensive renovation with a new exhibition route has been announced.

Highlights

• Castle grounds freely accessible at all times
• Observation tower with a view across the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
• Museum rooms on castle history
• Women's bunker from the Nazi era
• Castle tours and Kasper puppet tours for groups

Permanent exhibitions

• Burgmuseum – Ausstellungsräume zur Burggeschichte – Small exhibition rooms trace the eventful history of the castle from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
• Frauenbunker – The women's bunker examines one of the darkest phases of the castle's history.

Operated by

Burg Hohnstein Betriebsgesellschaft gGmbH

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The castle can be visited free of charge. Castle tours can be booked on request for groups of 10 or more.

Accessibility

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

Due to its historic construction, the castle is not wheelchair-accessible; the grounds can nevertheless be explored in large parts with some effort. There is currently no wheelchair-accessible toilet. Dogs are allowed on a lead throughout the grounds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Kasper puppet tour and adventure hike for children; the grounds are easy to explore with a stroller, and changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

Address: Markt 1, 01848 Hohnstein.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Castle restaurant with café and castle terrace; additionally Burgblick (inn and guesthouse) on the market square.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 120 guests.

Ten event rooms (including the Burgkeller, Meißner Zimmer and club room) and the castle garden; weddings at the castle are possible.

Plan your visit