Anyone entering the castle courtyard for the first time is promised a magnificent spatial impression. Hartenfels Castle is considered to be the only surviving early Renaissance castle in Germany.

Hartenfels, today the seat of the North Saxony District Office, was considered the most modern residential palace in Saxony in the 16th century. It was the scene of various historically significant events over the centuries. The names Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise and John Frederick the Magnanimous are closely associated with its history. In addition, numerous anecdotes recall important personalities such as Tsar Peter I, Lucas Cranach and Napoleon. In the exhibition wing of the castle, the Dresden State Art Collections, in cooperation with the district of North Saxony and the large district town of Torgau, are presenting the exhibition „Torgau. Residence of the Renaissance and Reformation“. There are also changing special exhibitions on various themes.

You can also visit the castle church, the first Protestant church building, the lapidarium in the lower court room and the „Traces of Injustice“ exhibition at the Torgau Documentation and Information Center (DIZ).

The multimedia exhibition „Standfest.Bibelfest.Trinkfest. Johann Friedrich, the last Ernestine Elector“ in the former electoral apartments and in the bottle tower provides entertaining information about the life of the electors at Hartenfels around 500 years ago.

Three brown bears live in the castle's bear pit, and it's not just the young visitors to the castle who enjoy them.