Kepp Castle

Keppschloss in Dresden-Hosterwitz is a historic country estate located at the exit of the Keppgrund valley.

The first mention of an estate on this site dates back to 1661. Between 1749 and 1763, it belonged to Heinrich von Brühl, the Saxon Prime Minister. Around 1774, Camillo Marcolini, Master of the Horse and Privy Councillor, acquired the property to be close to the electoral court in Pillnitz. Since Catholics were prohibited from direct land acquisition, the purchases were made through Clemens Gustav Petzold. Marcolini expanded the property and had it redesigned, including a bowling alley. In 1808, the castle hosted the later Pope Leo XII, which earned it the name “Pope's Little Castle”. After Marcolini's death in 1814, ownership changed hands several times until Friedrich Wilhelm von Trautvetter acquired it in 1834 and had alterations carried out. From 1840, it became known as “Keppschloss”.