---
title: Castle Albrechtsburg
author: Irina-Maria Manea
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15793/castle-albrechtsburg/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Castle Albrechtsburg
_Authored by [Irina-Maria Manea](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/irinamaria.manea/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/15793.jpg)
## Image Caption
This impressive castle is located in Meißen, a small town close to Dresden, Eastern Germany.
In 929, King Heinrich I built a wooden fortification on a rock above the Elbe. This made Meißen the centre of the border region of the same name in relation to the still Slavic areas in the east. The margrave ruled over the entire March of Meissen and resided in the previous building of the Albrechtsburg, which went down in history as the "cradle of Saxony".
A late Gothic castle was built between 1471 and 1524 on behalf of the brothers Ernst and Albrecht von Wettin, who jointly ruled Saxony: Meissen Albrechtsburg Castle. The new residence was to be a representative administrative centre and residential [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at the same time. It was, therefore, less a defensive structure and more a palace. Because of the steep slope of the Elbe, the basement had to extend over two floors, followed by the ground floor and three upper floors. In particular, the sophisticated lighting through curtain arched windows and the cell vaults used throughout the palace were an architectural novelty. A masterpiece of staircase construction is the Great Wendelstein, a staircase of curved steps that wind around a filigree spindle.
However, Meißen Albrechtsburg Castle was never to be used in its intended function, because the brothers divided up Wettin territory while it was still being built. At times, receptions or hunting parties were held here, but the castle was mostly empty. Only August the Strong used the Albrechtsburg actively again, in 1710 - as [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/)'s first porcelain manufactory.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## About the Author
A curious and open mind, fascinated by the past. Historian with a keen interest in Norse myth and the Viking Age, as well as history teacher and language instructor. Originally from Bucharest, Romania, now residing in Hesse, Germany.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/irinaskuld)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinamariamanea/)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Manea, I. (2022, May 06). Castle Albrechtsburg. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Manea, Irina-Maria. "Castle Albrechtsburg." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 06, 2022. .
### MLA
Manea, Irina-Maria. "Castle Albrechtsburg." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 May 2022, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Irina-Maria Manea](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/irinamaria.manea/ "User Page: Irina-Maria Manea"), published on 06 May 2022. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.