The history of the Klippenstein castle dates back to 1289 when it was first mentioned as 'Castrum Radeberch' in official records. From 1543 to 1546, Moritz of Saxony had the castle converted into a hunting lodge and residential palace. It is also among the most significant surviving examples of sovereign architecture built during the reign of Moritz Elector of Saxony, a famous ruler from the House of Wettin. Members of the Saxon nobility often resided here. The influence of the Renaissance remains visible in many architectural details at castle.
Both its use as a noble residence and its use as a government administrative building greatly influenced the historical development of the castle complex. The poet August Friedrich Ernst Langbein descends from the dynasty of the Langbein family, who were the Electoral Officials at Klippenstein Castle in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It was not until 1952 that the district court was moved to another location, thus ending the era of the castle´s use as a government administrative building and clearing the way for it to house the heritage museum. All of these eras have left their mark on the castle.
Today, Klippenstein Castle attracts numerous visitiors by its museum of the history of the castle and its surrounding town. It is a cultural center for the Radeberg region, offering a wide range of events and exhibitions, rental opportunities, guided tours and educational programs for children.
References:The Jan Hus Memorial stands at one end of Old Town Square. The huge monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were forced into exile 200 years after Hus, and a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The monument was so large that the sculptor designed and built his own villa and studio where the work could be carried out. It was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus' martyrdom. The memorial was designed by Ladislav Šaloun and paid for solely by public donations.
Born in 1369, Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Accordingly, the Czech patriot Hus believed that mass should be given in the vernacular, or local language, rather than in Latin. He was inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe.