Schloss Weesenstein

About the museum

The complex above the Müglitz valley goes back to a medieval fortified castle first mentioned in 1318. It initially belonged to the burgraves of Dohna; from 1406 the von Bünau family held lordship for twelve generations and expanded the castle into a Renaissance and Baroque palace. Because the building was continually extended further down the slope, the oldest parts now lie high up, while the stately living rooms lie below them.

After the von Bünau family, the middle-class von Uckermann family acquired the palace in 1772. In 1830, King Anton of Saxony bought the estate; his nephew, the later King John, had a Catholic chapel set up around 1850. The Evangelical Lutheran palace chapel, consecrated in 1741, forms the architectural high point of the complex.

In 1917, the royal house sold the palace to an industrialist; later it increasingly fell into disrepair. In 1933, the Landesverein Sächsischer Heimatschutz (Saxon Homeland Protection Association) acquired it with donations from the public and a year later founded the museum that still exists today. During World War II, art treasures from Dresden were stored here. Today, the palace and park belong to the Free State of Saxony, and the complex is operated by the Schlösserland-Gesellschaft.

Highlights

• Princely living rooms of the 18th and 19th centuries with historic wallpapers
• Baroque palace chapel from 1741
• Catholic chapel of King John
• Castle cellars with an exhibition on the Dohna and von Bünau families
• Palace park with winter garden (former bathhouse)

Permanent exhibitions

• Unterschloss: Fürstliche Wohnräume des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts – Representative rooms with original furniture and valuable wallpapers show how the Saxon royal house lived, along with King John's Catholic chapel.
• Evangelisch-lutherische Schlosskapelle – The Baroque chapel, consecrated in 1741, forms the artistic high point of the complex and is still used for devotions and concerts.
• Die Burg: frühe Geschichte Weesensteins – In the castle cellars, the exhibition covers the burgraves of Dohna and the von Bünau family and their lives during the Renaissance and Baroque.

Founded

1934

Operated by

Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen gGmbH (Schlösserland Sachsen)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the schlösserlandKARTE (not for events or public tours). With the Gästekarte Sächsische Schweiz or the Kulturpass Elbe/Labe, €7. The palace park is free to visit. Separate prices may apply to events. Tickets are valid only on the day of purchase.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

As a listed building, the palace is not barrier-free. For wheelchair users, a visit to the lower palace with the princely living rooms is recommended (one staircase, or roughly 20 steps; staff will help after registration); the castle cellars are reachable only via several staircases. The palace park and the museum shop in the palace courtyard are barrier-free; an accessible toilet is located in the gatehouse. Accessible parking spaces at the park entrance further up the valley.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Certified as a "Family-Friendly Experience". The audio guide offers a children's tour; school classes and children's groups can book thematic tours or experience programs from "Museum Mobil" (including children's birthday parties). Strollers are not allowed in the museum because of the many stairs; slings or baby carriers are suitable.

Getting there & parking

From Dresden, take the A17 to the Pirna junction toward Glashütte, or take the B172 toward Pirna and turn in Heidenau toward Altenberg; the distance from central Dresden is about 20 km. Cars may drive onto the first palace courtyard.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Royal Palace Kitchen Weesenstein (Tue–Thu and Sun 11:00–20:00, Fri/Sat 11:00–22:00, independent of museum operations); museum shop with tourist information; lockers in the lobby of the visitor toilets.

Events & venue rental

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

Selected rooms and outdoor areas in the palace park can be rented for celebrations, conferences, and weddings.

Plan your visit