Visitors can marvel at the architectural and cultural taste of past centuries at various locations.
Here is an overview of ten castles, palaces and manor houses that are worth a visit.

Colditz Castle

Residence of rulers, hunting lodge, widows' residence - as the landmark of the town of the same name, Colditz Castle stands on a rocky outcrop above the Zwickauer Mulde and dominates the townscape with its imposing appearance. The original residence and hunting lodge looks back on almost 1000 years of history. Located in the heart of Saxony, it is one of the oldest castles in the Free State. With its white gables, it is considered one of the most beautiful Central German Renaissance monuments of the 16th century and is a popular destination not only for history buffs. The castle gained international fame through its use as a prisoner of war camp for high-ranking
Officers of the Western Allies during the Second World War. The Escape Museum in the Officials' House provides information about their spectacular escape attempts.

Baroque Palace Delitzsch

The stately palace complex of the Delitzsch Baroque Palace lies in the middle of the Delitzsch lake landscape. Wilhelm I of Meissen had the palace built as part of a medieval moated castle. In the following centuries it was redesigned several times in stages. As a ladies' palace from the 17th century, it was a widow's residence for a long time and also a popular travel residence for Saxon princes. The baroque palace garden, which was lovingly laid out according to the French model, is still impressive today. In the palace tower, which was originally built as a medieval defensive tower, an exhibition on several floors provides information about the town's history. The 50-meter-high tower also invites visitors to enjoy a view of the town and its surroundings. Every year in May, the Delitzsch Palace Festival brings the history of the baroque palace back to life with concerts, readings and dance performances.

Castle Gnandstein

A castle like something out of a picture book - in Gnandstein you can advertise with this slogan in good conscience, because for more than 800 years it has been Saxony's best-preserved fortification with its striking tower, which has shaped the Kohrener Land. The imposing building was once built by loyal followers of the Wettin princely house. Today, the high keep, mighty protective walls, gatehouse and tower courtyard, battlements and residential buildings and, last but not least, the palace building characterize its face. Various themed tours invite you to explore the old walls and the historic castle garden.

Hartenfels Castle

Hartenfels Castle in Torgau is the only surviving castle from the German early Renaissance, standing on a plateau above the Elbe. 500 years of Reformation history lie dormant in the walls of this architectural masterpiece, which was built in the 15th century and served as the main and secondary residence of many Saxon electors. Today, the castle is home to numerous sights such as the castle chapel, which was inaugurated by Martin Luther in 1544, as well as the Wendelstein and the Hausmannsturm in the courtyard, both of which are part of the representative architecture of Elector Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous. In addition, constantly changing exhibitions give the place a supra-regional appeal. An entertaining
Permanent exhibition on the history of the castle up to the 18th century and its military use in the 19th century.

Hubertusburg Castle

Hubertusburg Castle is one of the largest hunting lodges in Europe, located in the resort town of Wermsdorf in the middle of the Wermsdorf Forest. It was built in 1752 and is one of the most important castle complexes of the 18th century in Germany. Until the beginning of the Seven Years' War, the Saxon Elector and Polish King Augustus III held lavish parties in the magnificently furnished castle. In 1761, the imposing castle was finally plundered by Prussian troops and robbed of all its inventory. The building complex still houses Saxony's only Rococo chapel, which is rather inconspicuous from the outside but all the more magnificent from the inside. During a public tour, visitors can learn about the dramatic and eventful history of the magnificent castle and also marvel at some of the well-preserved and partially restored rooms of the "Saxon Versailles".

Jagdhaus Kössern

The hunting lodge, built in the style of a large manor house around 1709 - often also referred to as a hunting castle - is considered an outstanding gem of baroque architecture in the Mulde valley near the town of Grimma. The high mansard roof and the richly painted facade can be seen from afar. The foyer on the ground floor is supported by four pillars to provide a view of the large garden. A well-preserved and spacious staircase leads to the upper floor, where a stately ballroom, lavish stucco and large ceiling paintings await visitors. Guided tours in historical costumes and special concerts by "BurgenLandKlänge" are part of the varied program that can be experienced during a visit to the Kössern hunting lodge.

Kriebstein Castle

Kriebstein Castle is a tower castle with a ring wall above Kriebstein on the Zschopau River and was built in the 14th century as a residence and seat of power. It is located on the Lutherweg Sachsen in the center of the Dresden-Chemnitz-Leipzig triangle and is considered the most beautiful knight's castle in Saxony. Highlights of a tour include the monumental residential tower from the cellar to the historically preserved attic, the castle chapel with valuable paintings from 1440 and the "Kriebstein Room" with its decorative wall paintings. An extensive permanent exhibition and changing special exhibitions in the Kriebstein Castle Museum present the 600-year history of the late Gothic building. The cozy castle café "Zum Hungerturm" invites you to linger.

Castle Mildenstein

From afar, you can see the massive walls of Mildenstein Castle, which have been towering over the Freiberger Mulde valley for more than 1000 years, on steep cliffs. The former Leisnig Castle was once an imperial castle, court center, administrative headquarters, prison, and is now a magnet for visitors and a cultural center for the town of Leisnig. The oldest preserved parts include the Romanesque chapel and the keep from the 12th century. This was converted into an observation tower in 1875 and offers visitors an impressive view of the medieval town and the Mulde valley. In the museum, you can discover the history of the castle and historically significant finds in various exhibitions. Hiking enthusiasts can reach the castle via the nearby Muldental hiking trail.

Rochlitz Castle

Rochlitz Castle stands proudly and mysteriously over the town of the same name. The former imperial castle was built in the middle of the 10th century and looks back on a 1000-year-old history of emperors, kings and princes. Duchess Elisabeth of Rochlitz - one of the most important figures of the Reformation in Saxony - also had her seat at Rochlitz Castle. On a tour today, you can see the impressive cross vaults of the castle chapel, the magnificently restored prince's house and the 100 square meter black kitchen. The two enormous towers make Rochlitz Castle look like a fortified cathedral and invite you to enjoy a panoramic view of Rochlitz and the Mulde valley. Rochlitz Castle is one of 27 stops on the popular Luther Trail Saxony.

Rittergut Trebsen

The Trebsen Castle and Manor is one of the largest manors in Saxony in the town of the same name on the Mulde river, directly on the Luther Trail Saxony. Around 1494, Georg von Saalhausen acquired the Trebsen manor and began building the castle, the previous buildings of which once served as defensive structures. The castle and the manor are connected by a historic bridge. A large castle park complements the manor and castle ensemble and invites you to take a stroll. In the numerous rooms of the castle there is a well-preserved cell vault, which is also called a diamond vault due to its special structure. The ivy-covered courtyard also invites you to linger in the fresh air. The Trebsen Manor Association, founded in 1992, expanded the cultural offering by making the rooms available for use. Over time, theater performances, jazz and blues events have developed into an integral part of the regional cultural landscape.

brochure "Excursion Planner"

Anyone who would like to find out about the most beautiful excursion destinations and exciting leisure experiences in Leipzig and the region will find numerous suggestions and tips in the 122-page brochure “Excursion Planner”. The publication, published by Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, is available free of charge from the Tourist Information Leipzig (Katharinenstraße 8) and is available here (www.region.leipzig.travel/brochures) available for download. 

More information about cycling in the Leipzig Region as well as more interesting routes: www.region.leipzig.travel/kultur