Frauenpriessnitz Revenue Office @museum.de

Originally, a palace designed by the Saxon court architect Melchior Brenner stood on this site. It was built in the early 17th century, having been commissioned by the Schenk von Tautenburg line. Frauenpriessnitz had been a fiefdom of theirs since the 15th century, and served them as a residence from 1482.

However, the newly built palace soon fell victim to the Thirty Years' War. In May 1638, the entire village was gutted by fire. Of the palace, only the tower, a vaulted cellar with a central column, two barrel vaults and a few other cellar rooms survived.

In 1780, the municipal authorities moved from neighbouring Tautenburg to Frauenpriessnitz, where new buildings were required. So the new Lower Court and Revenue Office was built on the walls of the old palace. The stones were sourced from Tautenburg Castle, which was demolished for the purpose. From then on, taxes and feudal dues were collected by the Revenue Office, in other words, the fiscal authority – acting on behalf of the Elector of Saxony.

The end of the Second World War also brought the closure of Frauenpriessnitz Revenue Office. That was because the Soviet military authorities intended to demolish the entire complex. But following negotiations, the main building and its tower were preserved. However, the manor house was demolished, including its famous Renaissance portal, which provided vehicle access to the complex. Parts of the outbuildings also fell victim to the wrecking ball.

During the GDR years, the former office building was at the centre of a major agricultural cooperative. The building successively housed the machine lending station, the machine tractor stations and the administration for the agricultural cooperative. The bust of the reformer and "peasant leader" Thomas Müntzer also dates from this period. Carved from Freyburg muschelkalk, or shell limestone, the bust had previously stood in front of the local trainees’ hostel run by the agricultural cooperative.

Shortly before the turn of the millennium, ownership of the former Revenue Office was transferred to the local community, which renovated the building and has since used it for cultural events and celebrations.

Immediately opposite is the former monastery church of Saint Mauritius, which served as the burial place of the Schenk von Tautenburg line. In addition to a beautiful cross vault with historical painted decoration, it has a large organ that is well worth seeing – and indeed hearing.