Successful year for the Schlösserland Sachsen: 30th anniversary of the SBG

With almost two million guests and a significant increase in revenue, the 30th anniversary of Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und Gärten gGmbH (SBG) was a successful year. At 12.2 million euros, the best turnover to date was recorded, as Schlösserland Sachsen announced on Thursday in Dresden for the 2023 balance sheet. However, in view of considerable expenditure due to high energy costs, among other things, a slight deficit of 157,000 euros had to be made up. The effects of climate change and the preservation of the historic gardens also challenged the association, which was founded in 1993 - there was local damage caused by storms and flooding.

In total, 1.94 million guests visited the state's stately properties and gardens last year. This was 230,000 more than in 2022, meaning that the number of visitors in 2023 continued to rise towards the pre-coronavirus level, which was a good 2.1 million in 2019. Pillnitz Castle in Dresden remains the favorite of visitors with 377,000 guests, followed by Moritzburg Castle with 280,000 and Albrechtsburg Castle Meissen with 114,000. Altzella Monastery Park, Mildenstein Castle and Weesenstein Castle each recorded a good quarter more visits.

In mid-July, a storm with gale-force winds damaged or destroyed more than 80 trees in Pillnitz Castle Park, and at Christmas, employees there and in Dresden Fortress struggled with flooding. According to SBG, the park seminar premiere for the preservation of the Great Garden in Dresden was fully booked, 90 volunteers took action against the aggressive Norway maple, replanted shrubs and uncovered historical views.

According to statistics, the state-owned company closed the year 2023 with income of 12.2 million euros (2022: 10.3 million). With the annual subsidy from the state and from its own reserves, it was reportedly able to break even for the year. Before the coronavirus pandemic, which also led to a drop in visitors and revenue at the palaces, castles and gardens, income amounted to 10.8 million euros. However, according to SBG, heating costs were 67% higher and electricity costs 47% higher in 2023. Expenses for external services such as cleaning, supervision and security staff also increased by 11 percent - due to the rise in the minimum wage.