Weesenstein Castle

Weesenstein Castle (Schloss Weesenstein) in the Müglitz valley is an eight-story castle clinging to a rock above the river, famous for having been built partly from top to bottom. Located south of Dohna in Saxony, it is one of the more unusual castles near Dresden. A museum, a Baroque park and a children's audioguide make it a good family day trip from the city.

Where it is and how to get there

Weesenstein lies about 3 kilometers south of Dohna in the Müglitz valley, southeast of Dresden. By train, take the S1 from Dresden to Heidenau, then the Müglitztalbahn (SB72 towards Altenberg) to Weesenstein station, about a 10-minute walk from the castle. Bus 202 stops about 6 minutes away. Drivers take the A17 to the Pirna exit and follow signs to the castle car park. The address is Am Schlossberg 1, 01809 Müglitztal.

What makes it special

The castle is first documented on December 17, 1318, and its tower probably dates to the 12th century. The Bünau family owned it until 1772, and in 1830 King Anton bought it. During World War II about 450,000 art objects from Dresden museums were stored here. A restoration after German reunification cost about EUR 27 million, and the park was rebuilt after the 2002 flood. Today the Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten Sachsen runs the site. The castle has Baroque and Classicist features, including a Baroque chapel built in 1738 to 1741 and a Classicist winter garden.

What to see

• The museum with the permanent exhibition "Immer zu Diensten!" (At Your Service), showing life behind the scenes.
• "Ein Schloss mit Kinderaugen" (A Castle Through a Child's Eyes) for families.
• The Baroque park, which one source says is free to enter.
• A brewery on the grounds.

The audioguide is offered in five languages including English, plus a children's version narrated by a bat and a castle ghost.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

• Hours: summer season Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Mondays. A state castles brochure lists Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to March; check the exact winter schedule before you go.
• Admission: adults EUR 8, reduced EUR 7. An audioguide costs EUR 2 extra according to a third-party listing.

Practical tips

Allow one to two hours, more with the park. We found no reliable information on dogs and accessibility, so ask the castle directly.