The Saxon Wine Museum collects and presents evidence of over 850 years of wine culture in the Elbe Valley. It was opened in 1924 in the Hoflößnitz pleasure palace and mountain lodge, which was built in 1648/50 for Elector Johann Georg I. Since 1998, it has been run by the Hoflößnitz Foundation. In addition to the permanent exhibition on the history of viticulture, the artistic decoration of the ceilings and walls of the banquet hall and the electoral chambers on the upper floor, dating from the 17th century, is a major attraction. The walls are decorated with allegorical representations (virtues, arts and sciences, nymphs and naiads). The 80 oil paintings mounted on the hall ceiling with motifs from the colorful bird world of South America are by the Dutch painter Albert Eckhout. The remaining ceilings show huntable game, aquatic animals, and native and exotic flowers. From March to November, changing exhibitions can be seen in the Bergverwalterhaus (mountain manager's house) in Hoflößnitz. The showroom of the Saxon Wine Route visitor center in the historic press house provides information about contemporary viticulture. A small show garden presents typical plants from vineyard-related biotopes. The museum offers guided tours in various formats, with and without wine tastings. The museum's educational program for children's groups includes activities focusing on viticulture, local history, and ecology. Regular highlights include the museum festival at Pentecost, the Electoral Vineyard Festival on the first weekend in October, the Christmas market on the third Sunday in Advent, and the concerts in the chamber music series specializing in early music, which has been held since 1993.