Hartenfels Castle Torgau
Anyone entering the castle courtyard for the first time is promised a magnificent spatial impression. Hartenfels Castle is considered to be the only surviving early Renaissance castle in Germany.
Hartenfels, now the seat of the North Saxony District Office, was considered one of the most modern residential castles in Saxony in the 16th century. It was the scene of various historically significant events over the centuries. The names Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise and John Frederick the Magnanimous are closely associated with its history. In addition, numerous anecdotes recall important personalities such as Tsar Peter I, Lucas Cranach and Napoleon. In Wing D of the castle, the Dresden State Art Collections, in cooperation with the district of North Saxony and the large district town of Torgau, are presenting the exhibition "Torgau. Residence of the Renaissance and Reformation". In Wing B, the exhibition "STANDFEST. BIBLEFEST. DRINKING FESTIVAL." Elector Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous and his wife Sibylle - elaborately digitally animated - guide visitors through the history of the castle.
The Great Wendelstein, the castle church, the lapidarium in the lower court room and the exhibition "Torgau as a Place of Remembrance" can also be visited.
Two brown bears live in the castle's bear pit, and it's not just the little castle visitors who enjoy them.
Castle church
The castle chapel is considered to be one of the first new Protestant church buildings in the world. It was the only church building to be commissioned by Martin Luther himself with a sermon on October 5, 1544. It was here that the reformer's ideas for a Protestant church service were first translated into architecture.
Lapidarium
In the Lower Court Room, the oldest part of the palace, with its unique medieval building fabric and in the impressive vaults beneath the palace church, visitors can experience an interesting excursion into the architectural history of the palace. The Lapidarium (Latin for stone collection) allows "stone witnesses" to tell the story of the castle.
Hausmannsturm
The medieval tower of Hartenfels Castle, which is a stately 53 meters high, connects the late Gothic Albrecht building with the magnificent early Renaissance Johann Friedrich building.
Hartenfels, now the seat of the North Saxony District Office, was considered one of the most modern residential castles in Saxony in the 16th century. It was the scene of various historically significant events over the centuries. The names Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise and John Frederick the Magnanimous are closely associated with its history. In addition, numerous anecdotes recall important personalities such as Tsar Peter I, Lucas Cranach and Napoleon. In Wing D of the castle, the Dresden State Art Collections, in cooperation with the district of North Saxony and the large district town of Torgau, are presenting the exhibition "Torgau. Residence of the Renaissance and Reformation". In Wing B, the exhibition "STANDFEST. BIBLEFEST. DRINKING FESTIVAL." Elector Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous and his wife Sibylle - elaborately digitally animated - guide visitors through the history of the castle.
The Great Wendelstein, the castle church, the lapidarium in the lower court room and the exhibition "Torgau as a Place of Remembrance" can also be visited.
Two brown bears live in the castle's bear pit, and it's not just the little castle visitors who enjoy them.
Castle church
The castle chapel is considered to be one of the first new Protestant church buildings in the world. It was the only church building to be commissioned by Martin Luther himself with a sermon on October 5, 1544. It was here that the reformer's ideas for a Protestant church service were first translated into architecture.
Lapidarium
In the Lower Court Room, the oldest part of the palace, with its unique medieval building fabric and in the impressive vaults beneath the palace church, visitors can experience an interesting excursion into the architectural history of the palace. The Lapidarium (Latin for stone collection) allows "stone witnesses" to tell the story of the castle.
Hausmannsturm
The medieval tower of Hartenfels Castle, which is a stately 53 meters high, connects the late Gothic Albrecht building with the magnificent early Renaissance Johann Friedrich building.
Good to know
Openings
- The opening hours of the permanent and special exhibitions at Hartenfels Castle:
April - October: daily except Tuesday 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
November - March: daily except Tuesday & Wednesday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Price info
Price adult: €6.00
Price child: Free entry
Price reduced: €5.00
Gruppen ab 10 Personen, p.P.: €5.00
Schlossführungen, p.P.: €7.00
Free admission:
Children up to 17 years,
Holders of the SchlösserlandKARTE,
holders of the Saxon volunteer card,
members of ICOM, ICOMOS International and ICOMOS Germany as well as
Participating employees of the SKD.Information on reduced prices: LEIPZIG REGIO CARD holders: Reduced admission price for full-paying visitors to the permanent exhibition "Torgau. Residence of the Renaissance and Reformation" (Wing D) and "STANDFEST. BIBLE FESTIVAL. DRINKFEST." (Wing B) Pensioners, students, trainees, People with disabilities (degree of disability >= 50%), accompanying person free, People completing the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ), Recipients of unemployment benefit with a notice of approval, Annual pass customers and employees of SKD, members of the SKD Friends and Sponsors' Associations, Members of the German Museum Association, Visitors with a Museum Mühlberg card and holders of the Saxon Family PassEligibility
Bad Weather Offer
Suitable for any weather
for Groups
for Class
for individual guests
Suitable for the Elderly
Foreign Language
- German
Accessibility
- Saxony Barrier-FreeNotes on accessibility / deviations from the pictograms:
- The castle courtyard and the castle bridge are barrier-free.
- A ramp leads to the exhibition cash desk in Wing D, the exhibitions are barrier-free.
- The floors in Wing B are accessible by elevator. Within the exhibition "Steadfast. Bible-proof. Drinkproof." there are three thresholds (6.5 cm; 14.5 cm; 20 cm) and 4 steps into the bottle room.
- The Lapidarium is only accessible for wheelchair users with an accompanying person: access via the Elbstraße entrance with a 4 cm threshold at the entrance door and a ramp (12% incline,
- 4 m long) into the basement.
- Wheelchair-accessible WC: door 134 cm, 290x150 cm in front and 145 cm to the left or 90 cm to the right of the WC, 50 cm WC height.
Parkingindicated disabled parking space available
Entrance to the facility / paths within the facilityDoor width min. 90 cm
Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp
LiftDoor width min. 90 cm
Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp
Floor area of lift min. 110x140 cm
Accessible toiletDoor width min. 90 cm
Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp
Movement area in front of toilet bowl min. 150x150 cm
Area left or right of the toilet bowl min. 90 cm
Hinged hand rails at the side of the toilet bowl provided
Self-disclosure of companies- The exhibition "Stand firm. Bible-proof. Drinking." in Wing B has limited accessibility:
- All floors are accessible via an elevator.
- On the third floor, there is a 6.5 cm threshold to the revolving room.
- On the second floor, 4 steps lead to the bottle room, the Electress's room is barrier-free.
- On the second floor, a 20 cm high step leads through a 100 cm wide door to the castle chapel, the elector's room is barrier-free.
- The exhibition room for Torgau Fortress is accessible via a 14.5 cm high threshold.
- The Great Wendelstein, the Hausmann Tower and the Rose Garden are only accessible via stairs.
Family vacation
- SPECIAL FEATURES
- The bear pit with the three brown bears is a popular attraction.
- There are numerous exhibitions to discover in the castle, including an interactive multimedia exhibition on the history of Hartenfels Castle.
- Actionbound rally and quiz for kids who want to explore the castle on their own.
- Family vacation program during the Saxon school holidays
- The Hausmannsturm offers a magnificent view of the Elbe landscape.
- The castle café and rose garden invite you to linger.
Directions & Parking facilities
- By public transport: From Leipzig main station, take the S-Bahn line S4 or the RE10 to Torgau station. Then approx. 20 minutes on foot eastwards through the town center or take bus 759 to Torgau Friedrichplatz (10 minutes on foot via the market square).
By car: Follow the B87 to the Elbe bridge, parking facilities directly on the Elbe. Social Media
Contact person
Kulturbetrieb Schloss Hartenfels/ Landratsamt Nordsachsen
Schloßstraße 2704860 TorgauOrganization
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
License (master data)
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
