Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Moritzburg Castle outside Dresden is a beautiful and fairytale-like hunting and baroque castle, which is well worth a visit. When visiting the castle, you can use a so-called HistoPad, which brings history to life in an entertaining way.
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Moritzburg Castle
Moritzburg Castle was the hunting paradise of the Saxon Electors. Today, the castle is open to the public, and you can also stroll through the castle park.
Moritzburg Castle is located about 15 kilometres north of the city of Dresden, in the federal state of Saxony in eastern Germany.
Visiting Moritzburg Castle
We drove to the Moritzburg castle with our motorhome, and parked in the large car park right in front of the castle. Then we just walked in and paid the entrance fee. The price includes a so-called "histopad" (a digital disc), which turned out to help bring history to life in a really entertaining way.
Moritzburg Castle - a hunting lodge for the Saxon Electors
Moritzburg Castle was built in the 16th century as a Renaissance hunting lodge for Elector Moritz of Saxony. It was later converted into a Baroque castle by Elector August the Strong (1670-1733), and a little later Elector Frederick August III of Saxony (1750-1827) added a pleasure palace and pheasantries.
The hunting lodge was a place where the Saxon Electors enjoyed themselves royally. They hunted on the vast hunting grounds and organised grand balls and games in the form of 'sea battles'.
The castle was inhabited by the noble House of Wettin, to which the Saxon princes belonged, until 1945, when they were forced to give up the castle. Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony and his sons tried to hide art treasures in the garden, but most of it was found by Soviet troops. Only a few boxes of jewellery and gold ornaments were found by amateur archaeologists in 1996.
Today, the castle is a state museum, with one of Europe's most important collections of horns and animal skulls.
Moritzburg and Three Nuts for Cinderella
Do you recognize the castle? Moritzburg was used as a filming location for the classic fairy tale film Three nuts for Cinderella from 1973. The film has become a true cult classic in several European countries, and during the winter season the castle usually has a special exhibition about the film.
Tour of Moritzburg Castle - with history trail
Time for a tour of the castle! But what is a "histopad"? Well, this is a digital disc that we could hang around our necks. In each room there is a place where you can scan the plate, and suddenly you get information about the room, or optional objects that you point to.
The most fascinating thing is that you can then move the plate around the room and see how the place might have looked a few hundred years ago, when the room was full of people. Suddenly the rooms and furniture come to life!
Many of the rooms are incredibly beautiful in their own right, with stucco work, paintings and decorative furniture. One of the most impressive rooms is the famous Feather Room, which is unique in the world. Over a million colored bird feathers have been used to create the decorations on the magnificent bed and walls.
And then you pick up the histopad and see what it might have looked like at the time, say in 1728. You move the pad around the room and everywhere you go you see new people, in fantastic clothes. Fascinating!
In one room, a large table is set for a party, with beautiful Meissen china.
But what might it have looked like at the party? Well, you'll find out when you lift the histopad and point it at the table.
Moritzburg Castle also has a castle chapel, built in 1661 under the supervision of Elector John George II. Even today, regular church services are held in the chapel.
If you continue upstairs, you will find an exhibition of various artefacts. However, you cannot use the histopath here.
When we got back to the motorhome, each of us had an email with a photo of us in the mailbox as electoral princes ... Who looks best in the outfit ...?
Visiting Moritzburg Castle by campervan
When we visited Moritzburg, there was the option to park our camper overnight in a parking lot right next to the castle. There was also an electricity pole there, but it wasn't working when we visited and since we needed electricity, we chose not to stay.
We instead stayed at a campsite in central Dresden and made Moritzburg an excursion from there. If you want to spend the night with a camper at Moritzburg, we recommend checking the current rules and possibilities before your visit.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Moritzburg Castle is located just outside Dresden, which is a fantastic city to explore. There is also more to see in the surrounding area. Here you will find tips and reports:
Good to know about Moritzburg Castle
Where is Moritzburg Castle?
Moritzburg Castle is located in Saxony in eastern Germany, about 15 kilometers north of Dresden, making it a great day trip from Dresden.
What is Moritzburg Castle famous for?
Moritzburg is primarily known as a magnificent Baroque hunting castle from the time of the Saxon Electors. It contains historical hunting trophies, Meissen porcelain and the unique Feather Room with over a million colored bird feathers.
Is it possible to enter Moritzburg Castle?
Yes, the castle is open to visitors for most of the year. Exhibitions vary between summer and winter seasons, so check current opening hours and exhibitions before visiting.
What is a HistoPad at Moritzburg?
HistoPad is a digital guide that uses augmented reality, 3D animations and images to show what the castle and court life might have been like in the 18th century. HistoPad is available in several languages and is included in the regular admission ticket.
Was Three Nuts for Cinderella recorded at Moritzburg?
Yes. Moritzburg Castle was used as one of the filming locations for the classic fairy tale film Three nuts for Cinderella from 1973. During the winter season, the castle also usually has an exhibition related to the film.
Can you visit Moritzburg Castle by motorhome?
Yes, it is possible to get to Moritzburg by motorhome and there are parking facilities near the castle. If you want to stay overnight in your motorhome, you should check the current parking and overnight regulations before your visit.
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Solan says:
Histopad, a novelty for me.
We have visited a number of castles in Germany and have sometimes been disappointed. Not furnished in a contemporary way. Without furniture, I lose interest. But with the histopad, the salons become lively again...
👍Good tips Freedom!
19 July 2022 - 7:44
Helena says:
Histopad was new to us too! We really liked it! Completely agree with you, castles can be very different to visit. You want to get a sense of how it may have been once upon a time 🙂 .
20 July 2022 - 7:47
4000mil says:
It sounds really cool with the histopad. I don't know how many times I have stood in an old environment and wished I could look into the past. What it was like, what people looked like, etc.
19 July 2022 - 10:12
Helena says:
Right? It was a fun thing and it worked smoothly! Really delicious actually!
20 July 2022 - 7:48
BP says:
The histopath was completely new to me. A really fun thing! The location of the castle is fantastic and the header car is outstanding. The interior with horns and animal skulls and a four-poster bed with feathers - no thanks. I wouldn't want to eat or sleep there;-)
Peter is probably the best dressed with the wig.
19 July 2022 - 18:50
Helena says:
Yes, new technology can be really fun sometimes, when it works well! Funny that you like the first picture! And haha, I liked looking at the rooms, but I don't know if I would want to live like that right away either 😉
20 July 2022 - 7:49
Lena - gott för själen says:
But how cool was that toad, then? I can imagine that it was very lively. Andreas has relatives in Dresden and we have talked about going there soon. I will put that castle on my wish list!
Hugs Lena
14 October 2022 - 12:40