Lauenstein Castle presides majestically over the Müglitztal Valley. The origins of the castle are unknown, Lauenstein was probably founded around the year 1200 as a border castle. Lauenstein is mentioned for the first time in 1241.
A spacious residential castle was built here in the 16th century on the site of a medieval fortress. Even today, the ruins are still reminiscent of the medieval castle. The castle is essentially characterized by the Renaissance style. The east and south-west wings have been preserved from the once three-winged castle. The north wing collapsed in the middle of the 19th century due to dilapidation. It has not yet been rebuilt.
The impressive Wappensaal, the Vogelsaal, the music room and many interesting details still testify today to the artistry of the builder Günther von Bünau (1557 - 1619) and the subsequent generations of Saxon noble family, residing for three centuries in Lauenstein. High-quality portrait sculptures - dating from the beginning of the 17th century - have been preserved in the chapel and the tower room. The reconstructed park in baroque style and the herb garden with its ornamental plants frame the castle.The main castle has been extensively renovated and restored over the past three decades and now houses the Museum of East Ore Mountains.
References:The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.