Augustusburg Castle

The site's origins date back to the 13th century, when a castle belonging to the Schellenberg family was built there. This was taken over and expanded by the Wettins in the 14th century but suffered damage from fires and lightning strikes in the 16th century. Elector August of Saxony then decided to build a new hunting lodge. The foundation stone was laid in 1567, and despite an early winter onset, masonry work began in March 1568. Under the initial direction of Hieronymus Lotter, the mayor of Leipzig, the building sections were constructed in the following years. The Elector, dissatisfied with the construction progress and rising costs, dismissed Lotter in 1571 and transferred supervision to Rochus Guerrini Graf zu Lynar.