Sonnenstein Castle, Medieval castle and stately home in Pirna, Germany.
The castle stands on a sandstone plateau at 156 meters elevation, featuring Renaissance architecture with fortified walls and bastions overlooking the Elbe River.
From 1811 to 1945, Sonnenstein operated as a mental hospital, gaining recognition for advanced treatment methods before turning into a tragic site during World War II.
The castle includes a memorial center displaying exhibitions about the medical history and past events, fostering education and historical understanding.
Guided tours through the bastions start every Saturday at 2:00 PM, with adult tickets costing 6 euros and reduced rates available for students.
The castle now houses the administration offices of Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district while maintaining its role as a memorial site.
Location: Pirna
Elevation above the sea: 156 m
Address: Schlosspark 11, 01796 Pirna 01796
GPS coordinates: 50.96151,13.94604
Latest update: May 25, 2025 08:30
Saxony holds numerous destinations beyond the usual tourist routes. The region contains medieval castles, expansive natural landscapes and technical monuments from different centuries. The Saxon Switzerland area with its Bastei Bridge and sandstone formations attracts hikers, while the Albrechtsburg in Meißen and Königstein Fortress display historic architecture. Castles such as Kriebstein, Moritzburg and Weesenstein document various periods of German building tradition. The Ore Mountains house technical museums including the Frohnauer Hammer and Seiffen Toy Museum, which provide insight into traditional craftsmanship. The Glashütte Watch Museum presents the development of German watchmaking. The Göltzschtal Bridge in Vogtland demonstrates 19th century engineering. Natural areas like the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape and smaller destinations such as Tiefenbach Waterfall round out the offerings. Dresden provides not only the Zwinger but also Pillnitz Palace and the Blue Wonder Bridge.
Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre
297 m
Marienkirche Pirna
188 m
GDR Museum in Pirna
2 km
Kirchgemeindezentrum Pirna-Sonnenstein
869 m
Anstaltskirche Sonnenstein
188 m
Geibeltbad Pirna
1.8 km
Geibeltbad
1.8 km
Sachsenbrücke
2 km
Klosterkirche St. Heinrich (Pirna)
537 m
Rathaus Pirna
305 m
Stadtbrücke Pirna
919 m
Am Markt 3
263 m
Stadtmuseum Pirna
535 m
St. Kunigunde
398 m
Gedenkstätte Pirna-Sonnenstein
316 m
Ehemaliges Rathaus Copitz
1.3 km
Brückenmühle
2 km
Polish-Saxon Post Milestone in Pirna
569 m
Am Plan 16, Pirna
189 m
Neumühle
1.9 km
Ernst Julius Otto Monument Pirna
283 m
Obere Burgstraße 5
137 m
Bahnhofstraße 1
345 m
Musikschule Pirna
995 m
Sitzendes Paar
1.2 km
Alter Bahnhof Pirna
641 m
Kohlbergstraße 4
1.4 km
Bahnhofstraße 12b
1.1 kmReviews
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