Medieval Castle Festival Kriebstein Castle

Saxony's Most Beautiful Knight's Castle

Kriebstein Castle towers 45 meters high on a steep rock above the Zschopau Valley — one of Saxony's most dramatic castle locations. First documented in 1384 ("auf dem Krywenstein"), it was rebuilt from 1471 by Arnold von Westfalen — the builder of Albrechtsburg Castle in Meißen — in the late Gothic style. Unlike many other castles in Saxony, Kriebstein was never destroyed or fundamentally altered: The late Gothic residential tower with its corner turrets and spire stands today almost unchanged as it did in the 15th century. The wall paintings in the Kriebstein Room (1440) and the castle chapel are famous. The film set for Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014) was partly shot here.

Four Days of the Middle Ages on Ascension Day

From May 14 to 17, 2026 — Ascension Day and the following weekend — the Medieval Castle Festival brings the late Gothic castle back to the 15th century. In the authentic atmosphere of the castle walls, behind the meter-thick ramparts, and in the courtyards, traveling performers in medieval costume present old crafts — pottery on the wheel, bead embroidery on linen, furriery with pelts, papermaking from rags, felting from sheep's wool. The organizer is Schlösserland Sachsen — the association managing the state-owned palaces, castles, and gardens of the Free State.

Knights, Show Fights, and Juggling

Several show fights per day transport the audience into the world of late Gothic knightly tournaments: Noble knights in full armor — plate armor, chain mail, closed helmets — demonstrate the high art of swordsmanship. Dismounted lance-wielding demonstrations showcase accuracy on moving targets. Minstrels accompany the events with historical instruments — hurdy-gurdy, shawm, bagpipes, davul. Jesters, jugglers, and stilt walkers complete the program. Plays are performed in the great halls of the residential tower.

Family Program

The castle festival is very family-friendly. For younger visitors, there is a special program with puppet shows, archery under the guidance of the archer participants, rope making (braiding your own hemp ropes), papermaking (making your own sheets of paper from rags), and storytelling by the campfire. A wooden carousel powered by horses spins with children in medieval costumes.

Evening Spectacle and Medieval Food

On Ascension Day, Friday, and Saturday (the first three days of the festival), the evening spectacle begins at 6 PM: fire jugglers, fire eaters, fire magicians, and sword swallowers perform in the castle courtyard under the last rays of the sun. The spectacle is accompanied by medieval music. Food stalls, taverns, and the historic herb bakery provide hearty culinary delights — suckling pig over an open fire, herb flatbread baked on a hot stone, stuffed cabbage rolls, millet porridge, mead from clay mugs, dark unfiltered beer.

Saxony, Central Saxony, and the Zschopau Valley

Kriebstein is located in the district of Mittelsachsen, between Mittweida and Waldheim, on the Kriebstein Reservoir in the Zschopau Valley. With fewer than 1,800 inhabitants, the municipality is small — yet the castle attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. The Zschopau Valley, with its hiking trails, the Kriebstein Reservoir, and its dramatic rock landscape, is one of Central Saxony's most beautiful natural landscapes. Alongside the "Castle of Fairy Tales" events and knightly dinners, the castle festival is one of the most popular event formats at Kriebstein.