Lauenstein Castle

Conservation & Restoration of Wall Paintings and Stucco decorations

The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří (Ore
Mountains) is a UNESCO World
Heritage site spanning southeastern
Saxony, Germany, and northwestern
Czechia. Known for its rich mining
history, the region played a crucial role
in metal production, shaping its cultural landscape over centuries. Beyond the mines, the area includes historic mining towns with distinctive urban layouts and architecture, reflecting their past as economic, educational, and cultural hubs. The region flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly due to silver mining, leaving a lasting imprint on its identity. A key landmark is Lauenstein Castle, a masterpiece of Saxon Renaissance architecture. Near the Czech border, this heritage-protected site showcases over 700 years of Saxon history, attracting visitors interested in art and culture.

Training Course description

The European Heritage Training Course at Lauenstein Castle in 2026 will continue the long-term conservation of historic wall paintings, stucco decorations and plastered architectural surfaces, building directly upon the interventions carried out in previous years. Participants will engage in hands-on conservation work within historically significant interiors of the castle, addressing surfaces from different construction and decorative phases that require further stabilisation and protection.

Conservation efforts will focus on areas affected by material degradation, detachment and surface instability. Work will include consolidation of fragile sections, treatment of cracks, edge stabilisation and careful surface protection, ensuring the preservation of both artistic and structural integrity. Particular attention will be given to interiors containing stratified decorative layers uncovered during earlier campaigns, allowing participants to engage with the complexity of layered historical schemes.

Throughout the course, participants will be guided by experienced conservator-restorers, working with traditional materials and established conservation methodologies while adhering to professional and ethical standards. The programme will include theoretical sessions covering historical painting and plaster techniques, approaches to layered surface conservation, documentation practices and the broader conservation principles that frame heritage preservation within a World Heritage context.

REQUIREMENTS: CV, Motivation Letter and interview ACCOMMODATION: basic facilities, shared rooms with beds, warm showers and toilets.

LOCATION: Lauenstein, Saxony