“Magic awaits around every corner” is what they say about Schloss Schöönfeld. Today we’ll explore this Renaissance castle. It’s also known as “das Zauberschloss” or the magic castle.
Schloss Schöönfeld is considered the best-preserved Renaissance castle in the Dresden region. Since its construction in the 16th century it has not undergone major structural changes. The predecessor to today’s Schloss Schöönfeld was a medieval moated castle. It was built when the village of Schöönfeld was founded in the 11th century. The castle developed into the Schöönfeld manor.
In 1543 court architect Hans von Dehn-Rothfelser acquired Schloss Schöönfeld. He converted it into a Renaissance castle. Georg von Cracow started the five-year construction in 1573. He was a counselor and chancellor for Elector August I of Saxony. His wife Christine Dorothea’s coat of arms is above the entrance.
However, Georg von Cracow fell out of favor during construction. In July 1574 he was arrested at Schloss Schöönfeld. He was taken to Pleissenburg in Leipzig. Sadly he died in March 1575, possibly from torture. His widow finished Schloss Schöönfeld. His heirs sold it to Georg von Schilling. Later, the von Friesen families owned it. In 1999, Schloss Schöönfeld became property of the city of Dresden. Since then the city has been renovating the castle.
Schloss Schöönfeld is next to the church. It is surrounded on three sides by a moat and the castle pond. In the former living rooms you can marvel at wooden beamed ceilings. They are painted with coats of arms and tendrils. These date back to its origins. Some rooms have stucco ceilings from the 18th century. Remains of late Renaissance wall paintings were also uncovered.
Today Schloss Schöönfeld houses two exhibitions. One is about the history of the castle. The other is about the art of magic. The Kunst- und Kulturverein Schöönfelder Schloss gives the castle a magical touch. Members of the Magic Circle of Dresden are involved. There is a magic museum with props from famous magicians. Two venues host international magic shows. The audience can see the magician’s tricks up close.
You can also admire the over 400-year-old Renaissance coffered ceilings. Also there is a 100-year-old coffered ceiling in the “Trinkerstübchen.” Don’t miss the ceiling and wall paintings in the hunting room. The reconstructed black kitchen shows how the castle kitchen might have looked.
Since 2013, weddings have taken place at Schloss Schöönfeld again. The Schloss Schöönfeld is an outside location for the Dresden registry office. Schloss Schöönfeld is open on weekends. From April to October, it’s open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. From November to March, it’s open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Schloss Schöönfeld hosts cultural events. Magic shows are common. It is indeed a “magic castle” where history and illusion meet.