Zabeltitz Castle

In the Middle Ages, a moated castle stood on the site of the present-day palace, serving to protect an old salt road. Between 1565 and 1566, Nickel Pflugk had this complex converted into a Renaissance castle and also rebuilt St. George's Church. His heirs sold the property in 1588 to Elector Christian I of Saxony, who used it as a hunting lodge. During the Thirty Years' War, Zabeltitz was plundered and devastated by Swedish troops in 1637. After repairs in the 1650s, hunting camps were again held here. From 1699, the manor was leased, but the castle remained reserved for the Electors and later served as a dower seat for Electress Anna Sophie. In 1728, Augustus the Strong transferred the estate to Field Marshal Count August Christoph von Wackerbarth. He had the castle on the island, the present-day palace, completely rebuilt and a Baroque garden laid out. Construction work, led by Johann Christoph Knöffel, was largely completed by 1730 to showcase the estate at the Zeithain Encampment.