Hoyerswerda Castle and Town Museum

Visitors can rediscover the idea of a museum at Hoyerswerda Castle. The interactive permanent exhibitions “ErlebnisReich” and “LehrReich” at Hoyerswerda’s town museum are all about getting involved, trying out and discovering: Listening stations, film excerpts, touchscreens and authentic objects bring history to life.

In “ErlebnisReich”, families can stroll through the ages, from prehistory to the present day. You can also discover hidden treasures in an archaeological excavation site and try out a stone drill. Children can take a peek at our ancestors’ essential supplies, put out a town fire, and take a seat at the desk of the former lady of the castle, Katharina von Teschen.
The past comes to life in “LehrReich”. A time lapse takes the example of Hoyerswerda to show visitors just how much can happen in the space of seven decades, starting from the dark days after the Second World War, on to the euphoria around the constructions of the first socialist residential town and the growth of the Schwarze Pumpe combine, all the way to the turmoil of German reunification and the present day with the Lusatian Lake District.
“AbwechslungsReich” also presents alternating special exhibitions on a variety of topics ranging between art, culture and education.

Entertaining tours of the town and on special historical topics as well as experience and education offers excite audiences every year. Themed birthdays are especially popular with children.

Hoyerswerda’s castle & town museum is the town’s oldest building, with a history that goes back to the thirteenth century. Hoyer von Vredeberg is cited as the founder of the facility in 1272. Originally built as a moated castle, the facility served as a border fortification between Bohemia and Brandenburg for centuries. After being destroyed several times by warfare and fires, a new three-storey, horseshoe-shaped Renaissance palace was built under Seyfried von Promnitz in 1592. Princess Ursula Katharina von Teschen later came to own the manor of Hoyerswerda and had the building expanded to a representative residence.
Today the castle is not only home to the town museum – its historic charm makes the building a popular location for weddings, parties, conferences, concerts and more. A Baroque room with fireplace, a festive castle hall, a cosy courtyard and a rustic Krabat cellar offer a range of possibilities.