Moritzburg Castle - beautiful example of Saxon Baroque style


About 13 kilometres north-west of the Dresden is located Baroque castle Morizburg. It is one of the most picturesque castles in Saxony, Germany. The castle lies on a symmetrical artificial island and has four round towers that beautifully reflect in the blue water of the pond. It is named after Duke Moritz of Saxony, who had a hunting lodge built in the Renaissance style on a granite dome in 1542. The surrounding woodlands and lakes have been a favourite hunting area of the electors and kings of Saxony. 


Between 1661 and 1671 the Baroque chapel was added to the castle. The chapel was consecrated in a Catholic rite in 1697 during the coronation of Augustus the Strong to the King of Poland. 


Augustus the Strong in 1723 began the large renovation work from Renaissance to Baroque hunting and pleasure palace. During the reconstruction works the large pond surrounding the castle’s artificial island was built from what was originally four smaller ponds. One alley running directly east visually connects the castle with the other buildings in surroundings. The park and the gardens in the French style are added to the castle on the adjacent land to the north. The garden's layout follows that of other European royal courts of the time.
The best Saxon craftsmen and artists collaborated on the interiors of the seven halls and over 200 rooms of the castle. 


After the death of Augustus the Strong, the conversion remained unfinished. The surroundings of the castle were further developed by Elector Frederick Augustus III of Saxony, a great-grandson of Augustus II the Strong, at the end of the 18th century. 
The last resident of the castle Morizburg was Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony. He was dispossessed in 1945 by the postwar Soviet administration.


Today Moritzburg is a renowned meeting place for tourists and lovers of Saxon Baroque. The interior of the castle is furnished with examples of opulent baroque decor from the time of Augustus the Strong. The walls are covered in 17th century gold-gilded leather. Many rooms' furnishings are dedicated to courtly hunting. Eleven rooms are decorated with painted leather wallpaper from the 17th century.


Moritzburg Castle offers the guided tours. The audio guide is available in German, English and Czech at the cash desk.


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Location: Morizburg Castle, Germany

Comments

  1. Peabea Scribbles6/6/17 10:24 pm

    Love the view of the castle from the water in and around. Such a beautiful building. :)

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

    ReplyDelete
  2. NCSue6/6/17 11:22 pm

    Lovely. I'm always fascinated by castles - we don't have any in North Carolina!
    ;)
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/06/my-happy-place.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bill 6/6/17 11:36 pm

    wow--- I really enjoy your posts, I will probably never get there, but you have allowed me to see so much! Great pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ruth7/6/17 2:23 am

    I am in love with all things related to Germany after a visit a couple of weeks ago. I have seen photos of this castle and would love to visit (like so many other places). #WordlessWednesday

    ReplyDelete
  5. rupam sarma7/6/17 3:57 am

    Amazing Castle. Loved to read.
    Thanks for all pics.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lady Fi7/6/17 5:41 am

    That is so gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RedFuchsia7/6/17 7:21 am

    Piękna budowla:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous7/6/17 7:11 pm

    Your images of the castle are so beautiful. I especially love the second shot.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown7/6/17 8:42 pm

    23 years in Germany and never once have I managed to visit Dresden or the surrounding area. What a shame, I see!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Barbara G7/6/17 9:09 pm

    Piękne miejsce, warte odwiedzenia

    ReplyDelete
  11. Andrea8/6/17 3:33 am

    I am so amazed at the old buildings in temperate countries specially in Europe. They can preserve them wonderfully and very well. The technology of the past can even withstand the test of time and the elements!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Amy9/6/17 1:29 am

    It looks so good even though it's so old!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Carol @Comfort Spring Station9/6/17 12:33 pm

    Beautiful castle and skies

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rhonda Albom9/6/17 12:39 pm

    This castle is stunning. I don't believe I have ever seen this architectural style before. Thanks for the great photos

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gentle Joy9/6/17 3:47 pm

    What a beautiful castle... and pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Shail9/6/17 6:45 pm

    Wow. What a sight. I love these pictures, especially the second and third.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jackie McGuinness9/6/17 10:01 pm

    Breathtaking!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Spare Parts and Pics9/6/17 11:35 pm

    The areas you photograph (as well as your photos) are consistently so beautiful!! Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amanda10/6/17 12:45 am

    Stunning! I would love to see Germany some day. Thanks for the history as well. Very intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lorna ✶ The Painted Globe10/6/17 1:01 am

    Beautiful images! I wish I'd known about Moritzburg when we were in Dresden a few years ago, would definitely have made the effort to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Linda10/6/17 6:21 am

    Spectacular place! I love the images with the water.

    ReplyDelete
  22. s.c10/6/17 11:01 am

    Good subject, great view. I like it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Jim10/6/17 11:59 am

    Beautiful architecture.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Breathing In Grace10/6/17 3:16 pm

    Oh, my, that is absolutely gorgeous. I'm not a student of architecture, but I do know what I like and those domes on the rooftops are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mascha10/6/17 5:32 pm

    Great photos! I well know this castle...
    Greetings from Germany and thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  26. Małgosia i Piotr10/6/17 9:11 pm

    Miejsce wygląda wspaniale :) pozdrawiamy

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous10/6/17 10:37 pm

    Piękny zamek, nie znalazłam jednak tłumacza...
    Pozdrawiam :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anda11/6/17 12:21 am

    I've seen a few pictures of Moritzburg Castle before, but none of them was as beautiful as yours. The view of the castle from the water is absolutely fantastic. #TheWeklyPostcard

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jim11/6/17 2:24 pm

    I just love how so many castles started as hunting lodges. This one is certainly beautiful with gorgeous parklike grounds surrounding it. I wonder if they hold any festivals there. Thanks for linking up! #wkendtravelinspiration

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jo11/6/17 6:39 pm

    Beautiful position on the lake- you go to some really fabulous places! #Wkendtravelinspiration

    ReplyDelete
  31. James11/6/17 9:15 pm

    Your photos are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Tom11/6/17 9:47 pm

    ...spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Billy Blue Eyes12/6/17 9:22 pm

    Quite a stunning building that

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous12/6/17 9:39 pm

    Wow, so perfectly symmetrical! Dresden, probably is in the former DDR? When we would ever come back to this area of Germany, this castle would be on my list! Can't imagine how beautiful the inside of this castle is! Many thanks for sharing it with All Seasons! have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
  35. hilarystyle.me13/6/17 5:19 am

    Beautiful photography! Makes me feel like I could just step right in... #theweeklypostcard

    ReplyDelete
  36. betty-NZ13/6/17 10:15 am

    Absolutely fantastic! i didn't know this type of architecture existed.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Alexa T14/6/17 9:32 pm

    So splendid; lovely classic architecture and fantastic views!! A very wonderful area to have a travel!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Agness of Fit Travelling15/6/17 4:05 pm

    This is a truly spectacular castle! I love the architecture!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Liz15/6/17 4:25 pm

    A grand castle surrounded by beautiful landscape!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Pat Tillett20/6/17 2:44 am

    Beautiful photographs of an amazing place!

    ReplyDelete

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