Altzella Monastery Park

He really lived up to his name: The Saxon ruler Otto the Rich acquired great wealth due to silver ore findings in today’s Freiberg. In 1162, the German emperor Barbarossa allowed him to found a monastery that later became the burial ground of his family and should be known by the name “Altzella”. The oldest book of law in German language, the “Sachsenspiegel”, was created here. After the Reformation the monastery was closed and used as a source for building material, i.a. for the construction of the hunting lodge that is also located in Nossen. In 1804, a burial chapel in classicist style was finally completed for the re-burial of Otto and his descendants. During this time, a landscape park emerged on the grounds. It incorporated the still existing buildings and ruins and was highly attractive for artists from the Romantic period. Until this day, the Altzella Monastery Park is a magical place. Once there one does not want to leave, quite contrary to the odd monk during the active days of the monastery.