Augustusburg Castle

Augustusburg Castle (officially a hunting lodge) crowns a hilltop on the edge of the Ore Mountains near Chemnitz in Saxony. Built in the 16th century for Elector Augustus, the white Renaissance complex is nicknamed the "Crown of the Ore Mountains" and can be seen for miles. Today it combines palace rooms with a major motorcycle museum, a carriage museum, a dungeon and a lookout tower, which makes it a rewarding family day out and one of the region's top things to do.

Where it is and how to get there

The castle stands above the small town of Augustusburg, about 12 km (7.5 miles) east of Chemnitz.

• By car: Use the A4 or A72 autobahn and exit toward Chemnitz-Erdmannsdorf. A paid parking lot is on the south side of the castle.
• By public transport: Buses 704 and 705 run from Chemnitz. For a more scenic approach, take the Zschopau Valley train to Erdmannsdorf-Augustusburg and ride the historic funicular railway up the hill.

A short history

Elector Augustus of Saxony replaced a damaged medieval castle with this hunting lodge from 1568, partly to showcase his power after defeating rival Saxon princes. It was inaugurated on January 30, 1572. Four corner houses frame a large courtyard, and the straight Italian-style staircases were unusual in Germany at the time. The chapel holds an altarpiece by Lucas Cranach the Younger.

Things to see

• Motorcycle Museum: more than 170 machines, one of Europe's most important collections
• Palace museum with historic rooms
• Carriage museum in the former stables
• Hunting and ornithology museum
• Dungeon and lookout tower with wide countryside views

A LEGO special exhibition opened on September 26, 2026.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026:

• April to October: daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
• November to March: daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.)
• Closed December 24

The all-inclusive Castle Ticket costs €20 (reduced €16, family €50). The motorcycle museum alone is €10, and the tower €3. Children up to age six get in free.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially for families and motorcycle fans. Allow at least two hours, or half a day for everything. Dogs on a leash are welcome even inside the museums, which is rare. The courtyard, ticket office and several museums are wheelchair accessible, though the cobblestones are uneven. Café Anna serves lunch, coffee and cake, and there is a youth hostel inside the castle.

Nearby

• Augustusburg funicular from Erdmannsdorf
• Scharfenstein Castle and Lichtenwalde Palace, run by the same operator
• Chemnitz, European Capital of Culture 2025