Leisnig – Castle, Old Town and Routes in the Mulde Valley

Mildenstein Castle, Buch Monastery, St. Matthew’s Church and the routes through the Mulde Valley offer different themes to consider when planning your trip.

Mildenstein Castle and St. Matthew’s Church

Mildenstein Castle stands on a porphyry rock above the Freiberger Mulde and is a cultural centre of Leisnig. Its oldest surviving parts include a Romanesque chapel and a keep dating from the 12th century. The visitor route includes medieval halls, black kitchens, cellars and large roof structures; route details may vary. There are also immersive tours and family days, whose dates may change. The family-oriented exhibition is titled “The Court of the Young Rulers – Mildenstein Castle as a Princely Nursery”. Confirm before your visit whether the exhibition is available.

St. Matthew’s Church is a Late Gothic hall church, built between 1460 and 1484. The nave features a star vault, while the choir has a net vault. Comparing these two architectural features offers a concrete insight into the building’s architecture: the different vaults are located in two clearly identified areas of the church.

Buch Monastery and historical themes

Buch Monastery was founded by Cistercian monks in 1192 and features Romanesque architectural elements. The Saxon State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology describes it as one of the most significant medieval buildings in Saxon history. Historical tours explore the monks’ life and work; their dates may vary. Recurring educational activities include a scriptorium, where visitors can write like the monks, paper-making and paper-design activities, and herb tours with tea. Dates for these activities may also vary.

The historic Stadtgut houses an exhibition on the Leisnig granary regulations and church music. Confirm its availability before your visit. The Boot Museum presents archaeological investigations of the former gate complex at Mildenstein Castle. The museum accepts advance bookings for visits and tours; confirm the arrangements for your visit in advance. The history of craftsmanship also includes the Leisnig Giant Boot, made in 1996 by two master shoemakers.

Old Town, routes and getting there

Narrow lanes, steep winding streets, retaining walls, steps and Heisten—terraced retaining walls—characterise Leisnig’s Old Town. Historic information boards on Kirchstraße, at the market and on Kirchplatz describe places in the Old Town; their availability may change. They provide an additional point of reference if you would like to explore the historic sites.

Hiking and cycling routes through the Mulde Valley include the Mill Hiking Trail, the Saxon Luther Trail and the Mulde Cycle Route. Leisnig is directly on the Mulde Cycle Route. Guided or independent paddling trips are possible on the Freiberger Mulde. Hiking, cycling and paddling offer different ways to experience the landscape; choose the activities you would like to include in your trip plans.

You can reach Leisnig by car via the Leisnig exit on the A14 and via federal highways 107, 169 and 175. Rail services are provided by the RB 110 on the Borsdorf–Coswig route. When choosing a hotel, you may first want to consider whether your travel plans will focus more on sightseeing or on hiking, cycling and paddling.

Discover more destinations: Frankenstein, Halsbrücke, Wechselburg, Reinsberg, Lichtenau, Hainichen, Penig, Weißenborn/Erzgebirge.

Go to the regional travel overview: Central Saxony.