Annaburg Castle

The site of today's Annaburg Castle was originally home to an older fortress. Elector Frederick III of Saxony, the Wise, had it converted into a hunting lodge called Lochau around 1500. It also served as a private retreat with a garden, complementing the residential castle in Torgau. After Frederick's death in 1525, Elector August I of Saxony had the castle demolished. Between 1572 and 1575, a new building was erected on the same site, designed as a residence, hunting lodge, and dower house for his consort Anna. Some of the building materials came from the demolished castles of Schweinitz and Löben. This new castle is considered a masterpiece of Saxon Renaissance castle architecture.