Burg Stolpen
How to find us:
- Street
- Schloßstr 10
- Zip, City
- 01833 Stolpen
- Country
- Germany
- Phone
- 035973 27313
- Fax
- 035973 24438
- Web
- http://www.burg-stolpen.org
Description
On a prominent basalt cone south of Stolpen’s historic town centre stands Stolpen Castle, 27 kilometres east of Dresden and 356 metres above sea level. Over centuries the complex developed from a medieval hilltop fortress into a representative Renaissance palace and later into a state fortress, and today it is one of Saxony’s best-known attractions.
For a long time Stolpen belonged to the Bishops of Meissen and at times served as one of their main residences. In the 16th century the castle passed to the Wettin princely house of Saxony, which carried out extensive alterations: living quarters were richly appointed and the fortifications modernised. Wars, fires and strategic dismantlings led to partial decay in the 18th century. Of particular significance for public perception is the imprisonment of Constantia von Cosel, who was held here for around fifty years and is buried on the castle grounds.
The complex extends over roughly 220 metres and is divided into several courtyards; central buildings include the Kornhaus, built in 1518 with its long passage, the Schösserturm, dating from the 15th–16th centuries, and the Johannisturm, known as the so-called Coselturm. In the third courtyard remains of the military equipment can be seen; the well of the upper castle, deepened in the 17th century, reaches a depth of 84.39 metres. For the water supply a technically elaborate pumping system was constructed in the 16th century that could overcome great heights, but it was repeatedly destroyed in war.
The geology of the castle hill shapes both its name and appearance: striking columnar rock formations on the west slope testify to a volcanic origin. Recent investigations have shown that the hill did not form as a lava dome but as a maar-diatreme volcano about 30 million years ago, and that the rocks are classified as basanite.
The castle houses a museum on the history of the site and on Constantia von Cosel. Restorations supported since the 19th century and measures carried out in the 20th century made larger parts of the complex accessible to visitors; since 1992 the castle has been under state administration.