Osterzgebirgsmuseum Schloss Lauenstein

About the museum

Lauenstein Castle was probably built around 1200 as a border fortress in the Müglitz valley; it is first mentioned in 1241. From 1517 it belonged to the noble Bünau family, who resided here for three centuries. After the fire in the town in 1594, Günther von Bünau had the castle refitted with sculptural work, including the Wappensaal (Coat of Arms Hall) and the Vogelsaal (Bird Hall), with their stucco and paintings. Remains of the medieval complex survive as a castle ruin on the outer rock spur.

In the 19th century, the castle changed hands several times, and the east wing at times housed the local district court. After the land reform of 1945, the castle came into public ownership and was initially used as housing for refugees and resettlers. In the 1950s, local citizens set up a Heimatmuseum (local history museum), which had to close again because of structural decay. After restoration work starting in the mid-1970s, the museum reopened in 1980.

Since the 1990s, the castle ruin, Baroque park and main castle have been restored and the museum has been expanded. Today the Osterzgebirgsmuseum presents regional history in more than 30 rooms, including Saxon postal history, George Bähr, the Müglitztalbahn railway, hunting and the forest of the Osterzgebirge. The museum is run by the town of Altenberg. In 2019, the castle and church of Lauenstein were added to the World Heritage List as part of the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region; from 2018 to 2020, the east wing of the service courtyard (Wirtschaftshof) was also renovated for puppet theater and events.

Highlights

• Coat of Arms Hall with a 1609 stucco ceiling and painted Bird Hall
• Unique exhibition on the Saxon post-mile columns
• George Bähr, architect of the Dresden Frauenkirche, and his youth in Lauenstein
• Forest exhibition with animal sounds and hunting history
• Herb garden, Baroque garden and castle ruin
• UNESCO World Heritage: Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region

Permanent exhibitions

• Kursächsische Postmeilensäulen und die Vermessung der sächsischen Postwege – A unique exhibition in Saxony on the history of the post-mile columns of Augustus the Strong and on land surveying under Adam Friedrich Zürner.
• George Bähr – Leben und Werk des berühmten Lauensteiners – The architect of the Dresden Frauenkirche grew up in Lauenstein; the exhibition traces his life and his buildings.
• Der Wald im östlichen Erzgebirge – From the primeval forest of the Osterzgebirge through clearing and mining to modern forestry, with animal sounds to guess; complemented by an exhibition on hunting.

Operated by

Stadt Altenberg

Director

Gabriele Gelbrich

Admission & discounts

Free admission for holders of the schlösserlandKarte, children under 6, and holders of a valid card from the Saxon Museums Association. Guided tour fee: €40 for adult groups (up to 35 people), €20 for children's groups (up to 25 children).

Accessibility

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

The historic castle is not fully accessible. The path leads over uneven natural stone paving, and the inner courtyard has fine gravel; the ground floor has thresholds, and a mobile ramp is available. Upper floors and cellars can only be reached by spiral staircases. People with walking difficulties may park in the castle courtyard. There is an accessible restroom in the puppet theater (reachable by elevator; please register use at the museum ticket desk). A tactile model of the castle complex with Braille is in the entrance area. Guided tours can be adapted to individual needs on request, including for blind, deaf and learning-disabled guests. The website offers Easy Language and sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family-friendly exhibition. Children's tour with the bat Laurentia (from age 3, 45 minutes), treasure hunt for school starters, ghost hunt (also for children's birthday parties) and holiday programs for groups. Family ticket for 2 people with at least 1 child.

Getting there & parking

From the A17, via the S174 toward Altenberg as far as Lauenstein, across the bridge and along Teplitzer Straße to the market square; access to the castle is directly from the market.

Amenities & dining

Groups can book a castle tour with afternoon coffee and cake.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings in the Wappensaal (Altenberg registry office); event rooms in the service courtyard (malt cellar, puppet theater) are accessible. The Wappensaal is also used for concerts and lectures.

Plan your visit