Germany's oldest castle palace towering over the River Elbe, birthplace of Meissen porcelain and a Gothic jewel of Saxony.
Albrechtsburg, majestically towering over the picturesque Elbe valley, is considered the oldest castle building in Germany. It was built between 1471 and 1525 on the foundations of an original fortress from the 10th century and served as the representative residence of the Saxon electors. Its late Gothic architecture, with a unique spiral staircase and rich frescoes, is among the highlights of European castle architecture.
The castle is inextricably linked to the invention of Meissen porcelain – from 1710 to 1863 it housed the first European porcelain manufactory, which laid the foundations for a world-famous tradition. Today it offers guided tours presenting both medieval interiors and an exhibition on the history of porcelain. Don't forget to visit the adjacent Cathedral of St. John and Donatus and the viewing terrace with a panorama of the city.
For Czech tourists, Albrechtsburg is easily accessible – it lies only 30 km from Dresden and less than 100 km from the border, ideal for a day trip. We recommend combining it with a visit to the Meissen porcelain manufactory and a tasting of Saxon wines. Parking is available in a paid parking lot below the castle, from where a free elevator takes you to the ticket office.
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GPS: 51.1661, 13.4707
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Foto: Rolf Kranz · CC BY-SA 4.0
