Stolpen Castle

The strategically favorable location on the basalt mountain, in the border area of the Margraviate of Meissen and on important trade routes, led to the first fortifications around 1100. In 1218, Bishop Bruno II of Porstendorf acquired the Stolpen fief, and in 1222, the castle was first documented. It developed into the administrative center of the Stolpen office and was largely built from local basalt. During the Hussite Wars, the castle withstood an eight-week siege. In the 15th century, the bishop's residence moved to Stolpen, leading to the development of an outlying settlement that quickly grew into a town. Elector August of Saxony recognized its strategic importance and acquired the castle from the bishop in 1559, ending the 250-year episcopal era. Under Elector August, the castle was converted into a fortified Renaissance palace and furnished. During the Thirty Years' War in 1632, it was successfully defended against Imperial Croats but suffered fire damage, which was quickly repaired to ward off a Swedish siege in 1639.