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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Comments

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

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

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  2. 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

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

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  4. 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

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

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

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  7. 23 years in Germany and never once have I managed to visit Dresden or the surrounding area. What a shame, I see!

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  8. Piękne miejsce, warte odwiedzenia

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  9. 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!

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

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

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  12. What a beautiful castle... and pictures!

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

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

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

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  16. 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.

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  17. Spectacular place! I love the images with the water.

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  18. Good subject, great view. I like it.

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  19. Beautiful architecture.

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  20. 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!

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

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  22. Miejsce wygląda wspaniale :) pozdrawiamy

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

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  24. 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

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  25. 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

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

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  27. Your photos are beautiful!

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  28. Quite a stunning building that

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  29. 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.

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

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

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

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

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  34. A grand castle surrounded by beautiful landscape!

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  35. Beautiful photographs of an amazing place!

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