Tangible History: Altenburg's Old Castles and Traditions

Some places you visit. Others you experience. Altenburger Land is one you can feel with all your senses. In old courtyards, between organ sounds, with the scent of Mutzbraten in your nose or playing cards in hand. A journey through Altenburger Land is a journey through the senses. And who knows, maybe you'll find your seventh sense here. We show you places you should definitely visit and enjoy in the region.

In the Altenburg Residence Castle, your eyes embark on a fairy-tale journey: Majestic gables, festive halls, golden stucco ceilings - the castle is not just a building, it's a stage set. A place that doesn't just display history but brings it to life. You can see this for yourself at the castle and playing card museum, where the exhibition 'Education and Emancipation - The Hidden World of the Altenburg Magdalene Monastery' is on display from June 24 to October 26.

While the Lindenau Museum itself is closed due to extensive renovations, its special exhibitions are currently being shown in the Prinzenpalais right next to the castle - including highlights like the 'Stars over Paris' exhibition or works by Dieter Appelt. The main collection of artworks from antiquity to modern times is on display at an interim location in the city center. If you want to see even more from that time and dive deeper, you should visit the Museum Burg Posterstein. With fine portraits from salon culture, original letters from Hans Fallada, or even a historical escape game, sight becomes an unforgettable experience. The exhibition 'Tactfully - Music History from Salon to Music School' tastefully and compactly presents 300 years of regional music history.

Altenburg sounds deep, rich, and carried by centuries. The Trost organ in the Altenburg Castle Church is a true sound marvel - once played by Bach, it is the center of the ECHO project in 2025, which recognizes Altenburg as a European organ city. In the Ponitz Peace Church, the legendary Silbermann organ can be heard, fine and crystal clear. It is one of the few organs built by the famous builder Gottfried Silbermann outside Saxony. After all, he was the Saxon court organ builder. The duchy of Saxony-Altenburg owes the organ to its connection to the Kingdom of Saxony.

But sound also pulses outside: at the Classic Open Air in June, which takes place under the motto 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on June 20 and 21, 2025. The Philharmonic Orchestra Altenburg-Gera pampers the ears of visitors together with singers from the music theater ensemble, the opera choir, and the Philharmonic Choir, presenting the performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.

For two weeks, you can also listen to musical sounds as part of the Altenburg Music Festival. It takes place this year from August 15 to 29 at various venues in the Altenburger Land. Seeing and hearing combines in the best way at Theater Altenburg, currently housed in the theater tent on the large fairground. The new season is ceremoniously opened with the grand opening gala on September 7. The theater presents the highlights of the upcoming premieres.

The scent of an Altenburg summer is a melange of grilled, baked, and brewed aromas. Top of the list: Mutzbraten, lovingly turned over birch wood, seasoned with marjoram - a regional ritual. You can experience the scent and taste at the 'Reussischer Hof' restaurant, where you'll find the original Schmöllner Mutzbraten alongside other local delicacies.

What comes to the table in Altenburger Land has roots and long traditions. Be it the Mutzbraten at the 'Reussischer Hof' restaurant, the cakes at the historic Café Volkstädt, the oldest coffee house in Thuringia, or the Mediterranean cuisine at 'Da Angelo' restaurant right by the Great Pond. If you want to taste the liquid tradition of Altenburger Land, you can find fruity sparkling wine compositions at the Triebe Winery or try the legendary Schwarzgebrannter from the Altenburg Distillery.

The tasting tour combines all the flavors of Altenburger Land and is ideal for tasting the various dishes. Whether fruity, local liqueurs or fine gin from the TRILLER Manor Craft House or tender ostrich meat and delicious eggnog from the Burkhardt Ostrich Farm - in Altenburger Land, passionate producers show how extraordinary delights and honest quality emerge from dedication and regional roots. Ideal for a delightful coffee after so many treats is a visit to the Music Café, where the beans are still roasted on-site. And if you're a fan of goat products, you shouldn't miss the Holler-Hof. Here, not only do the goats bleat - their milk is also transformed into excellent products.

Altenburger Land thrives on textures: rough half-timbering, smooth porcelain handles, bumpy cobblestones. You can find ancient history to touch at Burg Posterstein. The stone of the over 800-year-old castle is hard and full of memories. Inside the structure, exhibitions about regional history and European salon history await you.

A playing card has been indispensable to the hands of Altenburgers for centuries. The delicate papers with various symbols are of special significance in Altenburger Land. The playing card museum in the Residence Castle brings this closer to you. There you can even print your own cards. The second Altenburg Games Festival takes place on July 19 and 20. Traditions you can touch can also be found at the Kulturgut Quellenhof. There's pottery, music, construction, and stirring. Dive into the craftsmanship of Altenburger Land and enjoy a wonderful break in nature.

Balance should also be considered on a sensory journey. When visiting the Meuselwitz Coal Railway, which chugs through the former mining area, you can feel the work of the machines and simultaneously enjoy the view of the green nature. A decelerated experience for children, nostalgia fans, and nature lovers.

If you want to take off, visit the Altenburg-Nobitz Flight World - Thuringia's only aviation museum, which excites with insights into aviation history. There is also an engaging children's trail, and in the outdoor area, 14 original aircraft can be experienced up close, including rarities like the Breguet Atlantic and the Mig-21SMT. A unique experience for the whole family!

Altenburger Land is a journey where you can enjoy pure deceleration. When the scent of Mutzbraten makes your mouth water. When suddenly everything fits between mustard tasting and summer rain. When you experience the connection and friendliness of the locals at the Garbisdorf Bird Shooting (June 28 to 29) or enjoy everything that Altenburger Land has to offer bundled at the Rositz Fair from September 18 to 21.

Altenburger Land has this seventh sense - the unobtrusive sense for the real, for the connective, and for what remains when the suitcases have long been unpacked. Take your unforgettable summer moment in Altenburger Land home and store it safely in wonderful memories.