Strehla Castle

It is located on a steep elevation to the north and east towards the Elbe and one has a beautiful view over the Elbe arch. Since there are no exact documents about the construction of the castle, only estimates of the approximate age through architectural details remain. However, it can be assumed that the existing buildings above the cellars date from the years 1440 to 1480. The late or lateest Gothic architectural style testifies to this. In the following building period until 1600, the tower superstructures, the fascia of the south gable on the east wing and the gatehouse were built under the influence of the Renaissance, which penetrated from the south. The last serious building phase ended in 1890 with the complete reconstruction of the north wing. The whole castle complex consists of a ring-shaped closed main castle with two high defense towers and a shield wall, an outer castle with a gatehouse and farm buildings. The gatehouse forms the entrance to the castle complex. It was renovated by the current owner and is used for residential purposes.

Probably the most architecturally and artistically valuable room in the castle is the Trinkstübchen. It is located in the southwest tower of the chateau, has a width of only 2.33 m, is 6.50 m long and 3.40 m high. It is the only known drinking room of the Renaissance. The proximity of the paintings to Lucas Cranach cannot be overlooked. It is quite possible that the painter or painters working in Strehla were inspired by the works of Lucas Cranach, who was working at the same time in Hartenfels Castle in Torgau, only 35 kilometers north of Strehla. We know from Cranach that he painted some castles on the Elbe with his sons and employees, or made so-called cloths for them. These are painted cloth panels that were stretched in front of the walls as decoration.