Schloss Nossen
Renaissance palace in the Mulde valley, formerly an administrative seat and electoral hunting lodge, currently closed for renovation and a new museum concept.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
A castle of the knights of Nuzzin has been documented on a rocky spur above the Freiberger Mulde since 1185. In 1315 it passed to the bishops of Meissen, in 1436 to the Altzella monastery, whose abbot could retreat here until the monastery was dissolved in 1540. What the medieval complex looked like is not recorded.
After the Reformation, the monastery's property became the Amt Nossen (administrative district). Elector Augustus had the castle converted into a Renaissance palace from 1554 onward, using demolition material from Altzella; the western wing with its three round towers and the Riesensaal date from this period. From 1630 it was the seat of the Amtshauptmann (district captain); later it housed the revenue office, the justice office, a court and a prison. In the 19th century the palace increasingly fell into disuse and served, among other things, as an annex of the Waldheim penal institution, as a local history museum and as housing.
In 1945 the district office was dissolved, and the local history museum moved into additional rooms in the west wing. In 1993 the Free State of Saxony took over the palace and combined it with the Altzella monastery into one administrative unit. From 1996 onward, permanent and special exhibitions presented the history of the town and the almost forgotten nobility of Saxony. Since November 2024 the palace has been closed for renovation and a new museum concept.
Highlights
- Renaissance palace with three round towers
- Riesensaal (great hall) and Kaminzimmer (fireplace room)
- Dungeon and prison rooms
- History of the Saxon nobility
- Close to the Altzella monastery park
- Operated by
- Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen gGmbH (Schlösserland Sachsen)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- 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 listed building, more than 800 years old, cannot be made barrier-free for structural and heritage-preservation reasons; this also applies to the museum shop (checkout) and the toilets.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus lines 424 (Dresden–Altzella), 750 (Freiberg–Nossen–Döbeln), 418/412 (Meißen–Nossen), 420 (Lommatzsch–Nossen), 425 (Wilsdruff–Nossen), 690 (Hainichen–Nossen), 755 (Freiberg–Nossen) and 761 (Bieberstein–Nossen).
By car
Parking available
A few spaces at the palace driveway next to the town church (free for up to 2 hours); further parking at Markt Nossen (paid) and at the "Grüner Weg" car park (paid, about 300 m from the palace; follow the parking guidance system).
From the A14, exit Nossen-Nord or Nossen-Ost, or from the A4, exit Siebenlehn, in each case toward Nossen Markt; according to the palace, the tourist signage is inadequate. The palace lies on the Muldental cycle path.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The monastery café in the Altzella monastery park (about 2.5 km away) and the hotel restaurant "Schwarzes Ross" offer dining in the surroundings.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 65 guests.
The Kaminzimmer offers 65 seats in rows and is also the wedding room for civil marriage ceremonies, with champagne receptions in the Kurfürstenzimmer or the palace courtyard. Room enquiries by email.
Inquiries & details
