Excursion recommendations

The history of art and architecture can and must also be studied on site. Dresden and its surroundings are home to numerous sacred buildings, palaces, castles and parks that allow you to travel back in time through various eras. To make it easier for you to start exploring the region's architectural history, we have put together a selection of excursions with extensive articles.

Around 50 architectural monuments are under the umbrella of Staatliche Schlössern, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen, a non-profit organization. Its aim is to maintain, preserve, manage and communicate Saxon art and culture.

Dresden

• Moritzburg Castle: Baroque hunting lodge, famous for its magnificent golden leather wallpaper and as the setting for the classic film "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella". Read more
• Pillnitz Palace: An extraordinary palace and park complex in the Chinese (East Asian) style directly on the Elbe. Read more
• Elbe castles: Three castles built in the 19th century (Albrechtsberg, Lingnerschloss, Eckberg), which combine architectural styles from classicism to neo-Gothic. Read more
• Baroque Wackerbarth Palace (Radebeul): Baroque castle and gardens, nestled in the vineyards, now known as an adventure winery. Read more

Meissen

• Meissen Cathedral: Masterpiece of the High Gothic period, which houses, among other things, the famous donor figures from the workshop of the Naumberg Master. Read more
• Renaissance Albrechtsburg Castle: Considered to be the first castle building in Germany and was the first seat of the Meissen porcelain manufactory. Learn more

Chemnitz

Schlossbergkirche with museum: A former Benedictine monastery church in late Gothic style. Read more

Leipzig

• German Library: A monumental archive building from the early 20th century in the Historicist and Art Nouveau style (now part of the German National Library). Read more
• Gohliser Schlößchen: A bourgeois rococo palace that is now used for concerts and exhibitions. Read more
• Völkerschlachtdenkmal and Südfriedhof: The monumental memorial ensemble commemorates the Battle of the Nations in 1813. Read more

Freiberg

Freiberg Cathedral: Famous for the Romanesque "Golden Gate", the ornate tulip pulpit and the monumental Gottfried Silbermann organs. Read more

Wechselburg

Wechselburg collegiate church: one of the best-preserved late Romanesque basilicas in Saxony. Read more

Görlitz

Holy Sepulchre : a detailed landscape and chapel copy of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built in the late 15th century. Read more

Annaberg

Annenkirche: One of the largest hall churches in Saxony; it combines late Gothic and Renaissance styles and is famous for its looped vault and the "Annaberger Bergaltar". Read more

Torgau

Hartenfels Castle: A major work of the German Renaissance, famous for the architectural masterpiece of the "Great Wendelstein" and the first newly built Protestant castle chapel. Read more

Pirna

Marienkirche: A monumental late Gothic hall church with impressive net vaulting. Read more

Löbau

Schminke House: a Classical Modernist residential building designed by architect Hans Scharoun. Learn more

Altzella

Altzella Monastery: a former Cistercian abbey with a mystical park. Read more

Panschwitz-Kuckau

St. Marienstern: A Cistercian abbey in baroque style. Read more

Großsedlitz

Grosssedlitz Baroque Garden: One of the best-preserved Baroque gardens in Germany based on the French model, also known as the "Saxon Versaille". Read more

Lichtenwalde

Lichtenwalde Palace and Baroque Garden: A Baroque palace ensemble with an extensive park known for its numerous historic water features. Read more

Weesenstein

Weesenstein Castle and Park: A residence of several noble families and King Johan of Saxony (1801-1873), preserves the original furniture and wallpaper. Read more

Zabeltitz

Zabeltitz Baroque Garden: A park designed in the French style with sandstone statues, avenues of lime trees and baroque water features. Read more

Rochlitz

• Kunigundenkirche: Late Gothic church with a striking façade and architecture designed with the red Rochlitz porphyry typical of the region. Read more
• Rochlitz Castle: An imposing, over 1000-year-old castle and palace complex with mighty fortified towers. Read more

Bad Muskau

Pückler Park: Prince Pückler Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest English-style landscape park in Central Europe, designed by Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau. Read more