Moritzburg Palace

History

Moritzburg Palace takes its name from Duke Moritz of Saxony, who from 1542 had a first hunting lodge built on this site in the Moritzburg pond landscape. The marshy terrain north of Dresden had been known since the Middle Ages as a fishing and hunting ground; the Wettins prized it for its exceptional abundance of game. Under Moritz, a modest predecessor building was erected, serving primarily as a base for the par-force hunts — that elaborate form of mounted chase that was cultivated at the Saxon court for centuries.

The decisive step from hunting lodge to a representative Baroque palace was taken by Elector Friedrich August I, known as Augustus the Strong, at the beginning of the 18th century. Between 1723 and 1736 he had the older structure fundamentally remodelled by the architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann — the creator of the Dresden Zwinger — and his colleague Zacharias Longuelune. Four mighty round corner towers were erected, the palace mound artificially raised, and the whole surrounded by a Baroque pond. The result was an entirely new complex that united the pleasures of the hunt with princely splendour in the grandest possible fashion.

Architecture & Setting

The palace as it stands today presents itself as a symmetrical four-wing structure with four distinctive round towers, set on an artificial island in the palace pond — an image that ranks among the most iconic of German Baroque architecture. Two causeways lead to the entrance; the reflection of the ochre-coloured façades in the water lends the complex an almost ethereal grace in any weather. The palace comprises some 200 rooms in all, a portion of which are accessible as a museum.

Inside, the Great Hall and the so-called Monster Hall are particularly noteworthy; the latter owes its curious name to a collection of extraordinarily large antlers that Augustus the Strong had gathered as hunting trophies. The true showpiece among the preserved rooms is the Feather Room: a wall hanging of over one million pheasant feathers covers walls and ceiling, representing a feat of craftsmanship from the early 18th century that is unique in Europe. The main palace is complemented by the Pheasant Palace, a Rococo building situated a little apart, and by an expansive Baroque garden.

Visiting & Tips

For many visitors, Moritzburg Palace is best known as a film location: the Czech-German fairy-tale production ‘Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella’ from 1973 brought the palace worldwide fame, and it continues to be broadcast on German television every Christmas season to this day. Each December the palace is transformed into a fairy-tale exhibition centred on the film — costumes, props and sets bring the story to life, drawing families from across the entire German-speaking world.

A visit pairs ideally with a trip on the historic narrow-gauge railway, the Lößnitzgrundbahn, which runs from Radebeul Ost through the picturesque Lößnitz valley to Moritzburg. Those with more time can explore the extensive pond landscapes surrounding the palace on foot or by bicycle — the Moritzburg pond area is a significant nature reserve and home to numerous water birds. Weddings at the palace are also possible: the Moritzburg registry office offers ceremonies in one of the historic rooms, and the setting ensures that such celebrations are truly unforgettable.