Historic Courtyard Festival Stolpen — Stolpen's People Besiege the Castle
Historic spectacle of the 1632 siege — on July 4th and 5th, 2026, at Stolpen Castle, the sandstone landmark of Saxon Switzerland
About Burghof-Fest Stolpen
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A Castle, a Siege, a Festival
Stolpen Castle towers 39 meters high on a basalt cone above the small town of the same name in the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district. Built in the 12th century, it was a fortress, bishop's seat, and state prison for centuries — most famously as the 49-year place of exile for Augustus the Strong's mistress, Countess Cosel. But before Cosel spent her life here, Stolpen was the scene of a bloody chapter: during the Thirty Years' War, in 1632, Croatian Imperial troops besieged the town. The population fled to the castle and successfully defended it, forcing the besiegers to withdraw without success.
July 4th and 5th, 2026 — The Castle Comes Alive
For years, this history has been staged as a grand historical spectacle by reenactment groups, the castle administration, and dedicated citizens of Stolpen. On the first weekend of the Saxon summer holidays in 2026, July 4th and 5th, the Burghof-Fest will be celebrated again. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, the castle courtyard will transform into a living history book: costumed Stolpen residents — farmers, sutlers, craftsmen, soldiers — will populate the walls, campfires will smoke, horses will stomp.
Skirmishes, Camp Life, and Rough Customs
The festival showcases the life within the besieged castle in all its hardship and joy: skirmishes with historical weapons, horse demonstrations, camp life with farmers and soldiers, petty thefts, and draconian punishments before the citizens' court, sutlers offering beer, wine, and simple soup. The rough customs of the era are presented with a wink and a lot of humor — history enthusiasts will experience a very tangible form of historical interpretation, families will be amazed, and children will have their fun.
Stolpen Castle and Saxon Switzerland
Stolpen is located right between Dresden and Saxon Switzerland, on the edge of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The castle is managed by the State Palaces, Castles and Gardens of Saxony, which administers several castles, palaces, and gardens in the Free State. It is open to visitors year-round, houses several permanent exhibitions (on Countess Cosel, castle history, regional geology), and is a popular excursion destination for day-trippers from Dresden and the surrounding area. The Burghof-Fest is the castle's largest summer event and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Burghof-Fest Stolpen — edition 2026
July 4th and 5th, 2026 — The Siege Comes Alive Again
On the first weekend of the Saxon summer holidays, Stolpen Castle opens its gates for the historic Burghof-Fest. Reenactment groups from all over Saxony recall the successful defense of the town in 1632 against Croatian Imperial troops.
On offer: costumed camp scenes with farmers, sutlers, and soldiers, historical skirmishes with contemporary weapons, horse demonstrations, sutlers offering beer, wine, and soup, as well as demonstrations of old craft techniques. The rough customs of the Thirty Years' War are presented with a wink and humor.
Programme Burghof-Fest Stolpen 2026
Program July 4th/5th, 2026 — 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily
- 10:00 AM: Castle opens — costumed Stolpen residents welcome visitors
- Morning: Camp life in the castle courtyards — sutlers, craft techniques, camp kitchen
- Hourly: Skirmishes in the upper courtyard between defenders and besiegers with historical weapons
- Several times daily: Horse demonstrations by costumed riders
- Several times daily: Citizens' Court — petty thieves and wrongdoers are brought forth and sentenced with draconian but humorous punishments
- Live Music: historical music with bagpipes, lutes, drums
- Children's Program: sack races, archery for children, face painting with historical motifs
- Culinary: Suckling pig on a spit, stews from the camp cauldron, mead, draft beer
- 6:00 PM: Festival concludes at the main entrance
The historically accurate program details will be published on burg-stolpen.org.
Highlights Burghof-Fest Stolpen 2026
- Reenactment of the successful defense of Stolpen in 1632
- Historical skirmishes with contemporary weapons
- Horse demonstrations by costumed riders
- Sutlers and historic camp kitchen
- Citizens' Court with draconian but humorous punishments
- Live music with bagpipes and historical instruments
- Family-friendly program with children's activities
- Costumed guests receive reduced admission
Prices Burghof-Fest Stolpen 2026
Admission: Adults €12, concessions €6, first child €6 (further children free). Family ticket approx. €24. Costumed visitors (period-appropriate) pay the reduced admission. The schlösserlandKARTE Saxony is NOT valid for this event.
Practical information — Burghof-Fest Stolpen
Date
Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 5th, 2026, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily.
Location
Stolpen Castle, Schlossstraße 10, 01833 Stolpen.
Admission
Adults €12, concessions €6, first child €6 (further children free). Costumed visitors pay the reduced admission. The schlösserlandKARTE is NOT valid for this event.
Getting There
By car via A 4 Dresden–Görlitz, exit Pulsnitz, then B 6 towards Bautzen to Stolpen (approx. 35 min. from Dresden). By bus and train from Dresden Hauptbahnhof, bus line 261 to Stolpen (approx. 50 min.).
Organizer
Stolpen Castle, a castle of the State Palaces, Castles and Gardens of Saxony.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Burghof-Fest Stolpen al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Burghof-Fest Stolpen
Burg Stolpen
Schlossstraße 10, 01833 Stolpen