Dahlen

The Dahlener Heide is a 150 km² landscape conservation area between the Elbe and Mulde rivers in northern Saxony at an altitude of 120 to 200 m above sea level. The extensive forest area of ​​the Dahlener Heide with its unique natural landscape has been a worthwhile and popular destination for those seeking relaxation and day trippers for decades.

The character of the idyllic heathland is determined by flat and hilly coniferous and mixed forests, which are charmingly interrupted by smaller stream valleys with alluvial meadows and ponds. Rare plants and animals are native here and over 100 species of birds nest in the heathland, where the well-known zoologist Dr. Alfred Brehm liked to carry out his animal observations.

The Dahlener Heide has a very well signposted network of hiking, cycling and horse riding trails and is also ideal for swimming, feasting and enjoying yourself. If you take the time, you can go on beautiful hikes. Worthwhile excursions include Brehms Ruhe, Tabakskiefer, Jägereiche, Dahlequelle, Sieben-Quellen-Tal with its H-Buche, Nixentümpel or the Toten Magd. Solid shelters invite you to take a rest and offer shelter from wind and weather.

The heath town of Dahlen is located in the middle of the large cities of Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz, in the heart of Saxony. First mentioned in documents in 1188 and granted town rights in 1228, Dahlen experienced serious setbacks in the course of its development, such as wars, town fires, plague and famine. Due to its favorable location on two trade routes, it was always possible to recover economically.

Extensive agriculture and forestry have always given Dahlen the typical character of a country town. Today, around 4600 people live in the heath town and its districts: Schmannewitz, Ochsensaal, Börln, Bortewitz, Großböhla, Kleinböhla, Neuböhla and Schwarzer Kater.

The market with the town hall, built in its current form in 1888, as well as the adjacent town houses gave the town centre a harmonious appearance. According to a legend, Dahlen is also known as the "Sackhupperstadt" - hence the Sackhupper on the Dahlen market square.

Close by is the local museum with its still functioning musical instruments and a small weapons collection.

The city church "Our Lady" cannot be overlooked and can look back on a history of over 500 years. In addition to the Annen Altar, the mural on the south side of the high choir, which depicts Saint Christopher with the Christ Child, is particularly worth seeing.

The castle and the castle park with the oldest tulip tree in Saxony characterize the current image of the heath town of Dahlen.

Bortewitz is a small village on the edge of the Dahlener Heide between Börln and Schmannewitz. A special feature of this small village is the clock tower. Since Bortewitz did not have a church and still does not have one, a fur trader and hunting tenant from Leipzig donated money to build such a tower. This way you could at least tell the time from afar. Today the local fire department uses the clock tower.

Ochsensaal

Ochsensaal, a village surrounded by forest ponds and woods, is an ideal starting point for hikes in the area around the Schildberg or to the Sieben-Quellental. Ochsensaal has a long tradition as a holiday resort. The village church probably dates back to the 12th century. In the Heinitz forest area on the A-Weg is the largest burial mound field from the Late Bronze Age in the Dahlener Heide. Southwest of Ochsensaal lies the largest pond in the Dahlener Heide, the Dammühlenteich, which covers 13 hectares. There is an inn with a guest house and a campsite here.

About one kilometre south of the village lies the Markusteich with its adjacent moor meadow, and nearby is the Nixentümpel.

Börln

The townscape is characterized by a large number of three-sided farmsteads — the first traces can be traced back to the Bronze Age, as the area graves south of the town impressively demonstrate.

Börlner Castle, which is now privately owned, was built in the late Baroque period on the remains of a moated castle. A moat, some of which still exists, surrounds the castle. Today, concerts, art exhibitions and cultural events are held at and in the castle.

Großböhla, Kleinböhla & Neuböhla

The three districts have been part of the heath town of Dahlen since 1994. Kleinböhla with its island "Tellerhölzchen" is the starting point of the Böhla towns. The "Tellerhölzchen", a small natural history monument, is an early medieval moated castle, also known as a tower hill. Its basic features have been preserved to this day. Neuböhla was built between 1947 and 1950 as part of the land reform of 1945. In the 15th century, a knight's seat with a manor developed in Großböhla. The most beautiful and best preserved building is the castle in Großböhla. We owe the "face" of the castle to the noble family von Bültzingslöwen, who lived in Großböhla from 1921 to 1945. Today, children's laughter can be heard from the castle. The former castle park - now Böhla's public park - is particularly charming. With its many ponds, its winding paths, its interesting flora and fauna, it offers relaxation and enjoyment.

Schmannewitz

The state-approved holiday resort of Schmannewitz is probably the most well-known holiday resort in the Dahlener Heide in its more than 100-year history. The famous zoologist and world traveler Alfred Brehm was also a guest in the Dahlener Heide - on the 50th anniversary of his death in 1934, the memorial stone "Brehm's Rest" was erected in his honor in the forest north of Schmannewitz.

There is a wide range of accommodation and leisure activities available. In 1996, two rehabilitation clinics were opened in Schmannewitz: the Christiaan Barnard Clinic, a specialist clinic for cardiology, oncology and psychosomatics, and the Dahlener Heide Rehabilitation Clinic, a specialist clinic for orthopedics and psychosomatics, which attract even more visitors. The Schmannewitz retreat center is an attractive address for families with children, singles and senior citizens.

Schmannewitz has a cultural and historical attraction with its baroque village church. The plans for the church, built in 1732, were drawn up by the famous George Bähr. Also worth a visit are the "Farmers' Museum", a renovated post mill, the fire service history exhibition, the animal enclosure and the forest pool with its giant slide.