"Guided Tour: Palace Chapel" Augustusburg Things to Do Tip by Kathrin_E

The palace chapel is of significance to art historians who are dealing with early protestant church architecture but I am sparing you the details... It is located in the eastern side wing and accessible only with guided tours. It was designed by Erhard von der Mehr in 1568 during the planning process of the palace, and completed until 1572.

The rectangular hall is surrounded by galleries on three sides. The styyle of the interior is renaissance - in those times the newest, modern style that had just been imported from Italy and the Netherlands.

The altarpiece by Lucas Cranach the Younger depicts the founder of the palace, Elector August of Saxony, with his wife Anna and children, kneeling under the cross and praying for eternal salvation. All those children who wear a cross as pendant had already died - most of them, in fact. The landscape in the background is the scenery of the Zschopau valley with seevral castles. Smaller scenes show Christ praying in Gethsemane and the Resurrection. Death and Resurrection of Christ happen right here, in Saxony, with the Electoral family present.

The gallery opposite the altar served as box for the Elector and his family. Higher-ranking members of the court occupied the side galleries, the servants assembled on the ground floor.

The organ is placed high up above the altar. The present instrument dates from the 18th century, it substituted an older and smaller one. During the guided tour they let you listen to some organ music, but not live, it's a CD they are playing.