Goldener Anker

Old Wineries

by german_eagle

Absolutely fascinating are the old wineries, some of them from the 16th - 18th centuries.

On the picture you see the winery Meinhold (the so called Turmhaus), an impressive ensemble from the 17th century, with additional buildings from the 18th century. It is located in the Oberlössnitz, Weinbergstrasse 10 - in this area you can find some more examples of old wineries, e.g. the Bennoschlösschen.

Another area with those old wineries is the Niederlössnitz, so e.g. Minckwitz's winery, Altfriedstein and Neufriedstein etc. Don't miss a wine tasting. The quality of the wine is very good. I remember sitting under a pergola outside an old winery, drinking a glass of wine (or two) and chatting with friends on a mild summer evening. La dolce vita :-)

Hoflößnitz Palace - Interiors and Paintings

by Kathrin_E

"Main Hall"

The main hall is decorated with elaborate paintings on wooden panels that cover the ceiling and the walls.

The ceiling panels of the main hall show exotic birds in lifelike pictures. They were done by the Dutch painter Albert Eyckhout who had participated in an expedition to Brazil in 1636-1644. After his Brazilian studies and sketches he created the bird series which was installed in Hoflößnitz around 1657/1658.

The paintings on the walls were made by different painters and their quality is not as good. Their programme is highly symbolic and contains allegories of virtues, ancient mythology, and emblemata.

Ancient mythology: Bacchus, the wine god, and Pegasus, the winged horse of the muses.

Emblemata are symbolic paintings that consist of a picture and an inscription which, combined, create a deeper sense. They were extremely popular in educated circles during the 17th and early 18th century. The hall has several of these, here is an example translated:

A group of cranes has assembled on rocks by the water. All of them are sleeping except one who is keeping watch. He is holding a stone in his claw which he will drop into the water to wake the others in case of danger.
The inscription says, "The King's watchful advice, keeps the subjects in safe peace."

So this picture is showing and praising a good government. The subjects can rely on their king to watch about them so that they can rest and live in peace.

Another painting which refers to Saxony's role in the Empire:
Four imperial crowns rest on twigs that thrive from the Saxon coat of arms.
The inscription says, "The Saxon diamond wreath (= Saxon crest) has ornated the House of Austria with the Roman crown four times."

Elector Johann Georg I., the founder of Hoflößnitz palace, took part in four imperial elections and made four kings and emperors, all from the house of Habsburg: 1612 Matthias, 1619 Ferdinand II, 1636 Ferdinand III, 1653 Ferdinand IV.

"Elector's Apartment"

The ceiling of the Elector's bedroom is decorated with all kinds of fish.

"Electrice's Apartment"

The living room of the Electrice shows Sybils, ancient prohetesses, in the upper row and allegories of the fine arts in the lower row.

The bedroom ceiling of the Electrice shows lots of little putti who hold flowers and distribute seeds.
Every ruling dynasty hoped for fertility...