Castle Dahlen

Castle Dahlen ("German: Schloss Dahlen") is a castle built in 1751 in the small town of Dahlen, located in Saxony Germany.

History

The castle was built by Count Heinrich von Bünau as a residence. There was an old medieval manor house on the site, which was demolished to make way for the castle.

Built in the late Baroque style, the castle featured over 30 rooms and some of the finest examples of Trompe-l'œil, particularly in the Grand Stair Hall. This and the ceilings of the Emperor Hall and White Hall rooms were painted by Adam Friedrich Oeser. The Count commissioned him in 1756 to do the art work.

The castle's most notable resident was King Frederick the Great. He took up is Seven Years War campaign in the castle. It was during his occupation that on the 12th of February, 1761 that King Frederick signed the Treaty of Hubertusburg ending the war. This was signed in the White Hall.

The castle was sold to the von Sahr family around 1851. It remained a private residence until 1945, when the East German government removed the family and the castle became State property. It was converted to a Police, Bakery and Meat Processing school, before its short lived restoration in the 1960's.

In 1973, a defective chimney burnt the castle to and empty shell.

Castle Today

The Castle Dahlen Association was formed in 2008 to head a campaign for the restoration of the castle. Through donations and events, the castle will be restored and once again be the treasure of Dahlen and the nation.

Important Rooms

White Hall- ("German: Weißer-saal")This room featured plaster and marble walls with reliefs of the Greek Deities Apollo and Minerva. The ceiling was painted with cherubs and a beautiful sky scene.

Emperor Hall- ("German: Kaiser-saal")A large ballroom used for entertaining royalty and high dignitaries. This room had a painted ceiling similar to the White Hall. Also featured a high ceiling and two balconies from the third floor looking into the room.

Links

* [http://www.visitdahlen.org Dahlen Tourism]