It has been 800 years since the first lords of Klippenstein began construction of a castle on a cone of Luxembourg granite located above the Röder.
In the course of its eventful history, the reigning residence has transformed from a medieval "castrum Radeberch" to a representative Renaissance hunting lodge of the Saxon regents and the administrative center of the Radeberg office to an architectural and cultural monument of the present that offers a wide range of events and exhibitions, rental opportunities, guided tours, and educational programs for children.
Schloss Klippenstein History
Having been extensively rebuilt in recent years, Klippenstein Castle is now the most impressive architectural monument in the town of Radeberg. It is also among the most significant surviving examples of sovereign architecture built during the reign of Moritz Elector of Saxony, a famous ruler of the House of Wettin. Members of the Saxon nobility often resided here. The influence of the Renaissance remains visible in many architectural details at Klippenstein Castle in Radeberg.
The history of the castle dates back to 1289 when it was first mentioned as "Castrum Radeberch" in official records. From 1543 to 1546, Moritz of Saxony had the castle converted into a hunting lodge and residential palace. Because of its location on a wedge-shaped cliff, it became known as "Schloss Klippenstein" or "Klippenstein Castle." (The German word "Klippe" means cliff. Therefore, "Schloss Klippenstein" can be roughly translated as "Cliff Castle" in English.)
Both its use as a noble residence and its use as a government administrative building greatly influenced the historical development of the castle complex. The poet August Friedrich Ernst Langbein is descended from the Langbein dynasty, who were the electoral officers at Klippenstein Castle in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It was not until 1952 that the district court was moved to another location, thus ending the era of the castle's use as a government administrative building and paving the way to house the heritage museum. All these eras have left their mark on the castle.
Although the museum's exhibits provide visitors with extensive information regarding the architectural and usage history of the castle, it is the castle itself that remains the museum's most important attraction. 'The Black Kitchen' and the adjacent Treasury in the south wing of the main castle, which houses valuable items from various periods of the castle's history, are the centerpieces of the newly created exhibit. ("The Black Kitchen" gets its name from the soot deposits that still mar the ceiling.) The adjacent rooms offer a glimpse into the rich history of the town of Radeberg from its founding to the mid-19th century. Based on important documentary evidence, the diverse industrial development of the town of Radeberg is presented to visitors in special exhibits.