Castle Hartenfels, Renaissance castle in Torgau, Germany.
Castle Hartenfels is a Renaissance fortress in Torgau with a striking spiral staircase tower and multiple stone wings arranged around an inner courtyard. The complex displays typical architecture from the 1500s with thick walls and well-organized chambers throughout.
Construction began in 1470 as a fortress and was gradually transformed by Saxon rulers during the 1500s into a splendid Renaissance palace. This transformation made it one of the most important seats of power in the region.
The chapel here represents a turning point in religious history, as Martin Luther conducted a service in 1544 and made it the first Protestant church building ever created.
The castle is open daily and visitors can explore it independently or join guided tours through the chambers. Planning ahead helps you see the rooms and exhibitions without rushing.
Bears have lived in the castle's bear pit for centuries, a rare surviving example of a practice once common among rulers. This living tradition offers a window into how entertainment and life looked different for nobility in earlier times.
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