Cosel Tower (Johannis Tower), Stolpen Castle

The story of the Countess is beautifully told in the castle.

Countess Cosel was imprisoned in Stolpen because she fell into disgrace after being deposed by Augustus the Strong due to political intrigue and a dispute over a marriage promise. Her far-reaching influence and her claim to be recognized as the king's wife exceeded social norms, which ultimately led to her life imprisonment.

Stolpen CastleIn the 18th century, Stolpen Castle served as a prison for Countess Constantia von Cosel, a mistress of Augustus the Strong. After being brought to Stolpen at Christmas 1716, she spent the rest of her life there. Because she had knowledge of state secrets, the conditions were initially strict. Over time, these relaxed, and the countess was able to move freely around the castle grounds. Initially, she lived in the stately rooms of the armory, but since this was no longer suitable as a residential quarters due to poor maintenance following a fire in 1743, she was forced to move to the St. John's Tower, which had been converted into a residential tower and hence popularly known as the Cosel Tower, for the last two decades of her imprisonment. When the countess died on March 31, 1765, at the age of 85, she was buried in the Stolpen Castle Chapel.