Of cast iron, faith and fasting cloths
In the far south-east of Saxony, where Germany meets Poland and the Czech Republic, lies a region rich in history, faith and culture. The three towns of Löbau, Herrnhut and Zittau form a remarkable triangle of cultural diversity - each unique and yet closely connected.
The second stage begins in Löbau, a place of design and progress. The highlight: the globally unique cast-iron tower on Löbauer Berg, a masterpiece of 19th century architecture. Even today, the iconic Schminke House attracts architecture fans from all over the world. But the town itself also impresses with charming market squares, an active cultural scene and its central location in the Upper Lusatian hills.
The route then continues towards Herrnhut - world-famous as the place of origin of the Moravian Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, religious impulses spread all over the world in the 18th century - a legacy that can still be felt today. In addition to faith, you can also follow in the footsteps of the Herrnhut stars, a symbol of traditional craftsmanship.
The second stage ends in Zittau, once a rich trading town and member of the League of Six Towns, it impresses with its magnificent old town, baroque town houses and sacred architecture. Two of the famous Zittau Lenten cloths can be admired here - unique testimonies to late medieval piety and European art history. The proximity to the Zittau Mountains, Saxony's smallest low mountain range, also makes the town an ideal starting point for nature-loving cultural travelers.
Together, Löbau, Herrnhut and Zittau represent a region in which faith and cultural wealth come together in a special way. Its location in the border triangle makes it a melting pot of European encounters: German history meets Bohemian flair and Slavic traditions.
Day 3: Löbau
Welcome to Löbau - a town between tradition and modern architectural visions.
Nestled in the gently rolling Upper Lusatian countryside, Löbau surprises with a diversity that you would hardly expect in a town of this size. A real highlight is the Schminke House, an architectural masterpiece of classical modernism. Designed in 1933 by Bauhaus architect Hans Scharoun, it is considered one of the most important residential buildings of the 20th century worldwide - often affectionately referred to as the "noodle steamer". A guided tour through this inhabited work of art provides an inspiring insight into organic building and visionary living. Book now!
Just a few minutes away, another unique piece of architecture rises up on Löbauer Berg: the cast-iron tower from 1854 - a delicate, 28-metre-high steel construction in the style of the Paris World Exhibitions. The ascent is rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view across Upper Lusatia to the Zittau Mountains mountains.
The old town of Löbau also invites you to explore: The market square with its historic town hall, small stores, cafés and baroque town houses tell of Löbau's importance as a former town in the Upper Lusatian League of Six Towns.
You can also experience the town digitally with the audio guide!
Day trip to Herrnhut
As a stopover, we recommend a trip to Herrnhut - a small town with a great history.
You can reach Herrnhut by bus 10 (bus stop "Bahnhof Löbau"). Founded in 1722 by religious refugees from Bohemia, Herrnhut became the nucleus of the Moravian Church. Here, visitors encounter a deeply rooted spirit of openness and community that still characterizes cultural life today. The settlements represent a global network of religious planned towns that was built by the Moravian Church between 1722 and 1808. They are a unique architectural phenomenon of the early modern period. Due to this uniqueness, the settlements of the Moravian Church were declared a transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site declared.
A walk through Herrnhut also takes you to the impressive Gottesacker, the cemetery of the Moravian Church - laid out according to their ideal of equality without any hierarchy. The Herrnhut Gottesacker is considered a cultural monument of supra-regional importance.
Herrnhut is also known worldwide for its shining ambassador: the Herrnhut Star. In the Herrnhut Star Manufactory you can experience how the famous poinsettias are still made with precision craftsmanship. In the craft workshop, you can get creative and create your own star.
You can also experience the place digitally with the audio guide !
Day 4: Zittau
Arrive in Zittau, a cultural jewel in the border triangle.
Located in the south-easternmost corner of Saxony, where Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic meet, Zittau invites you on a day trip full of history, art and European flair. The first tour of the picturesque old town reveals the town's former wealth: magnificent town houses, baroque churches and carefully restored squares tell of the time when Zittau was an important trading center as a member of the Upper Lusatian League of Six Towns. Particularly worth seeing is the magnificent town hall, a neo-Renaissance building with Italian influence - a real photo opportunity.
However, Zittau's greatest cultural treasure lies hidden in two extraordinary works of art: the Zittau Lenten cloths. The Great Lenten Veil from 1472, in the Church of the Holy Cross Museum, and the Small Lenten Veil from 1573, in the Franciscan Monastery Museum of Cultural History, are among the most important works of textile art in Europe and are impressive testimonies to medieval piety.
Just a stone's throw away, the picturesque Zittau Mountains are waiting to be discovered. In Saxony's smallest low mountain range, you can get active on signposted hiking and cycling trails and immerse yourself in the magic of the region's typical half-timbered houses. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can explore places such as Jonsdorf or Oybin on a nostalgic ride on the Zittau narrow-gauge railroad.
You can also experience the town digitally with the audio guide!
Highlights on stage 2
-
Zittauer Schmalspurbahn | Foto: Dieter WeiseDetails ansehenZittauer Schmalspurbahn
Ein besonderes Gefühl ist es, die regulären Dampfzüge bei ihrer donnernden Fahrt ins Zittauer Gebirge zu erleben. Genießen Sie eine Fahrt mit den Dampflok bespannten Personenzügen ins Zittauer Gebirge. Attraktionen sind außerdem die beiden offenen Aussichtswagen in jedem Zugumlauf, der legendäre Zittauer Triebwagen VT 137 322, Baujahr 1937 und der Zittauer Sachsenzug mit der IVK Lokomotive Nr. 145, Baujahr 1908. Mit dem Reichsbahnzug reisen Sie wie einst Ihre Großeltern oder Urgroßeltern in den goldenen Zwanzigern oder den 1930er Jahren.
-
Herrnhuter Gottesacker | Foto: Marketing-Gesellschaft Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien mbHDetails ansehenHerrnhuter Gottesacker (cmentarz)
Herrnhuter Gottesacker der Brüdergemeine auf dem Friedhof der Stadt Herrnhut.
-
Das große Fastentuch | Foto: René PechDetails ansehenDas große Zittauer Fastentuch
Im Museum Kirche zum Heiligen Kreuz ist das Große Zittauer Fastentuch von 1472 in der größten Museumsvitrine der Welt ausgestellt.
-
Burgruine Oybin | Foto: Müller | TI OybinDetails ansehenBurg und Kloster Oybin
Auf dem wohl bekanntesten Felsmassiv des Zittauer Gebirges erheben sich die romantischen Ruinen der böhmischen Königsburg und des Klosters Oybin.
Tips for planning your trip
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
You can travel the cultural route comfortably and environmentally friendly by public transport.
You can find up-to-date information on traveling by train on the following page: https: //www.zvon.de/de/
With the Upper Lusatia Guest Card, you are right in the middle of it all!
You can enjoy numerous discounts on leisure and adventure activities in the Zittau Mountains Nature Park region - from cultural highlights to exciting excursions and unique nature experiences. The guest card also serves as a ticket for local public transport in the entire ZVON fare zone.
