Lapidarium

The history of Hartenfels Castle is recounted in the historic vaults beneath the castle chapel and in the former ‘Unterer Hofstube’. Over 80 outstanding original examples of the castle’s exquisite sculpture and stonemasonry are on display, accompanied by vivid and engaging explanations. On display are elements of the loggia on the Hausmann Tower and the Saxon coat of arms above the portal at the bear pit, as well as the gravestone of Konrad Krebs, the builder of the Big Spiral Staircase. 

A highlight is the coat-of-arms gallery of the world-famous Big Spiral Staircase, through which Elector Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous secured a magnificent memorial for himself and his ancestors. Also of great significance is a display of original stones from the Schöner Erker in the rotunda at the foot of the Bottle Tower.