Stolpen Castle is a section castle with a lower and upper bailey and a front and rear main castle. Each section was to defend seperately. Its present appearance originated as early modern fortification at the end of the castle time. Main building material was the very hard local basalt; a special feature in architectural history. The Gothic building of the bishops was converted under the electors into Renaissance style. In the Seiger Tower in two rooms original decorative paintings of the court painter Heinrich Göding have survived from that period.
Decay and Renovation
As early as the mid-18th century a structural neglect began. A Prussion occupation brought first devastations. In 1773 the elector’s order was issued not to perform any repairs on the main building any more. Some roof trusses were reduced because of the danger of collapse. In 1813 Emperor Napoleon intervened without regard to the ruin and blew up a giant hole in the masonry when he withdrew. The gradual restoration began in 1859 under King John. A comprehensive restoration of the castle has been made since 1990.