Altenburg Residential Palace

Altenburg Palace and Playing Card Museum

Altenburg Residential Palace is an impressive ensemble that combines almost 1,000 years of architectural history. The Middle Ages, Baroque and the courtly life of past centuries come together here in a fascinating way. A stroll through the rooms and gardens allows you to experience not only architectural masterpieces, but also the stories of kings, electors and dukes who shaped this history.

A palace full of history and stories

Originally built as a castle and administrative center, Altenburg Residential Palace was a temporary residence for kings and emperors. It wrote a dramatic chapter in 1455 with the legendary Saxon Princes’ Robbery. It later served as the residence of the Dukes of Saxe-Altenburg. The castle owes its current splendor primarily to the Baroque renovation in the 18th century, which created magnificent banqueting halls and impressive living rooms with ornate stucco work, murals and elaborate decorations.

One of the highlights is the late Gothic palace church, which not only impresses from an art-historical perspective with its Trost organ from 1739, but also musically.

Art, a passion for collecting and a special tradition

Altenburg Residential Palace offers a fascinating collection of art and handicrafts dating back to the princely past:

The Porcelain Cabinet with exquisite East Asian exhibits from Bernhard August von Lindenau's collection
Historical and contemporary playing cards that reflect Altenburg's tradition as a center of card production
Princely collections of weapons and paintings that provide an insight into courtly life

In the card-making workshop, visitors can discover traditional printing techniques and experience how the production of playing cards has changed over the centuries.

The palace park - a living testimony to the art of gardening

The extensive palace park, which combines over 400 years of garden design, is directly adjacent. From the Renaissance to the Baroque to the Romantic design as a landscape park based on the English model - the stylistic influences can be felt everywhere here.

Historic elements such as the orangery with its light-flooded garden hall, the tea house and the former palace garden theater bring the splendor of bygone times to life. Today, the park with its old giant trees and winding paths invites visitors to stroll and discover.

On a tour of the castle grounds, you will come across further cultural highlights:

The Lindenau Museum, famous for its collection of Italian panel paintings
The Mauritianum Natural History Museum, which offers exciting insights into flora and fauna
The Duchess Agnes Memorial Church, an architectural structure on the edge of the park

Discover Altenburg Residential Palace - an experience for everyone

Whether you are a culture lover, history buff or simply curious - Altenburg Residential Palace fascinates with a unique blend of magnificent architecture, impressive history and living tradition. Immerse yourself in the world of the dukes, discover artistic treasures and enjoy the charm of a palace park that has inspired for centuries.