Schloss Schwarzenberg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The castle sits on a rock above the valley of the Schwarzwasser river and is first mentioned in records in 1212; it is considered the nucleus of settlement and of the town of Schwarzenberg. It protected the trade routes to Bohemia and was the administrative seat of a lordship shaped by iron and tin mining. Of the medieval complex, essentially only the keep survives.

Between 1555 and 1558 the castle was converted into an electoral hunting lodge, which defines the basic shape of today's building. In 1852 the keep was given two additional stories and a pointed conical roof, and in 1875/76 the district court was added on the north side. Until the 1980s part of the castle served as a court; since 1990 it has belonged to the district, which had the banqueting hall and north wing restored.

The museum collection goes back to the washing machine manufacturer Friedrich Emil Krauß, who acquired numerous objects for a large local history exhibition in 1937/38; in 1947 this became a local history museum. Later, focal points on Ore Mountains iron and tin were added, and from 1987 an extensive lace collection from the Hartmann company. Today the holdings comprise more than 60,000 objects.

As part of a German-Czech project with the partner town of Ostrov, the exhibition was redesigned and opened at the end of 2014 as “Perla Castrum – Ein Schloss voller Geschichte” (A Castle Full of History). On about 700 square meters across three floors and the tower, the town museum of Schwarzenberg tells the story of crafts, mining, industry, and town history in a family-friendly way; in 2023 it received the EUREGIO EGRENSIS Prize. The castle also houses institutions of the Erzgebirgskreis district, such as a folk art school and a music school.

Highlights

• Trumpeter automaton – one of only two surviving examples in the world
• Formal dress with bolero made entirely of bobbin lace (1920s)
• Washing machines made in Schwarzenberg
• Hands-on stations such as designing a Schwibbogen (candle arch) and a castle model
• View over the town from the castle tower

Permanent exhibitions

• Perla Castrum – Ein Schloss voller Geschichte – The award-winning permanent exhibition covers 850 years of town history on about 700 square meters, focusing on iron, tin, bobbin lace, woodcarving, and Schwarzenberg's washing machine production.

Founded

1947

Operated by

Große Kreisstadt Schwarzenberg/Erzgeb.

Director

Gerd Rosam

Admission & discounts

A ticket for the Schwarzenberg inclined elevator gets you €0.50 off. Gift vouchers available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

The exhibition is spread over three floors and the tower; the museum provides no accessibility information. The wedding room “Schlossstube” on the first floor has low-barrier access. Dogs are not allowed, except medical assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Family-oriented exhibition with hands-on and touch stations, such as building your own castle or designing a Schwibbogen (candle arch); treasure hunts, pewter casting, and children's birthday parties on request.

Getting there & parking

Motorhome parking area near the old town.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 26 guests.

Civil weddings in the Baroque-style “Schlossstube” in the Palais (up to 26 guests, organ or piano), booked through the Schwarzenberg registry office. Other rooms in the castle (including the banqueting hall and the vaulted cellar) are managed by the kul(T)our-Betrieb of the Erzgebirgskreis district.

Plan your visit