Eilenburg is also known nationwide as the "city of legends" - the most common of which is the Eilenburg elves' legend. According to tradition, the Eilenburg elves have been haunting the Mulde town for hundreds of years. They are said to have held a secret wedding celebration on the "Ilburg in Saxony". However, after being secretly observed by the countess, the elves cursed the counts living there. Even today, traces of the elves can be found everywhere in Eilenburg. There is a carved elves' sculpture in the town park and stories of the "little people" are often told in the Eilenburg mountain cellars. The town mascot "Heinz Elmann" also tells locals and visitors lively stories about the little characters. But it is not just the world of legends that make Eilenburg famous beyond the city limits - the town has also made a name for itself as a paradise for nature lovers, hikers and cyclists.
"Blessed Schmalzgrube" Eilenburg
Eilenburg looks back on a history spanning over 1000 years. The oldest documented mention of it dates back to 961 as "civitas ilburg". The town can rightly call itself one of the cradles of Saxony, as the Saxon territorial state was founded in 1089 when Henry I of Eilenburg was granted the Margraviate of Meissen. In the protection of the Ilburg, built on a high plateau, a planned town was built around 1200 on the Via Regia, the most important trade and cultural route of the Middle Ages. At that time, Eilenburg flourished primarily through the brewing industry, not least through the huge mountain cellars that are still unique today. Even Martin Luther liked to spend a lot of time in the wealthy town, which he called the "blessed lard pit". Eilenburg experienced a turning point during the Napoleonic Wars (1806-1813). Shortly before the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig, Napoleon took up quarters in Eilenburg and held the last military review of his allied Saxon troops in front of the village of Kültzschau. In 1815, Eilenburg was one of the parts of Saxony that were forcibly ceded to Prussia. Eilenburg then rose to become one of the most important Prussian centers of the textile industry. In April 1945, almost 90 percent of historic Eilenburg was destroyed by bombing raids. Eilenburg was also badly affected by the flood of the century in the summer of 2002 due to flooding of the Mulde. Today, Eilenburg is the first completely flood-protected city in Saxony.
A stroll through the glorious past
A must for every visitor to Eilenburg is the Protestant St. Nicholas Church on the market square. It is now the oldest building in the city center and is located directly on the Luther Trail Saxony. The church, which was probably founded in the 12th century, was destroyed by fire in 1435 and rebuilt in 1444 as a three-aisled hall church made of brick. The imposing west tower was built in 1496. St. Nicholas Church was the place of work of the pastor and hymn writer Martin Rinckart. In 1636 he wrote "Now thank all God", one of the most famous spiritual songs in German. Guided tours of the church are available by arrangement. The imposing Renaissance town hall is located right next door. The building structure dates back to 1545 in parts. The town hall has existed in its current form since 1949, when reconstruction after the Second World War was completed. The "Zum Roten Hirsch" inn is located near the town hall on the Kornmarkt. The simple Renaissance building is one of the oldest secular buildings in the city. An early Baroque ceiling painting (around 1640) and numerous wall paintings testify to its enormous architectural significance. Historically, the inn is important as an inn for August the Strong, Frederick III and Paul von Hindenburg, as well as a stop on the funeral procession of the Swedish King Gustav Adolf, who fell in the Battle of Lützen. Today, the building is home to the Eilenburg City Museum.
The Protestant Bergkirche Sankt Marien is located in the Berg district. It dates back to a Romanesque building from the 12th century, which was converted into a late Gothic hall church between 1516 and 1522. From 1522 onwards, the reformer Martin Luther is known to have preached here. A particular highlight for music lovers is the historically valuable Conrad Geißler organ, with its neo-Gothic facade, which was installed here in 1864 and is still used today at concerts and church services.
Experience historic Eilenburg
Since 2004, visitors have been able to follow the trail of historical Eilenburg and admire the no longer existing, imposing magnificent buildings of the formerly wealthy textile town of Eilenburg. This is made possible by eleven so-called "Camera Historica", which lead through the town as a path into the past. Visitors look through a permanently installed camera that shows what each station used to look like. Short explanatory texts provide in-depth information. The camera tour leads from the Mulde Bridge across the town centre to the foot of the Ilberg. The information signs lead further to the castle hill, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Eilenburg. A historical circular path on the castle hill with the Sorbenturm leads on the trail of the little elves. The Sorbenturm is the only part of the old Ilburg that can be visited. It was probably built in the 12th century. The 16-meter-high tower has served as a viewing platform over the Leipzig lowlands and the Düben Heath since 1863, and Eilenburg is considered the southern gateway to this area. Themed tours take nature lovers right into the heart of the charming heathland. You can also walk along historical paths in the city museum, which is located in the "Zum Roten Hirsch" inn. An impressive collection of historical dollhouses is housed in the attic. A tour of Eilenburg's unique underworld, a complex cellar system in the Eilenburg hill that began in the Middle Ages, is also worthwhile.
hiking trails and animal parks
Eilenburg offers cyclists and hikers numerous circular routes and a wide range of opportunities to discover the diverse natural landscape. The "Eilenburger Schleife" cycle route invites you to explore the city's sights by bike. If you want to do even longer circuits, you can use the Mulde cycle path, part of which leads from Wurzen to Bad Düben through Eilenburg. The route runs along the original course of the river and through the charming Düben Heath.
Those interested in astronomy will get their money's worth at the Juri Gagarin Planetarium on the Mansberg. On the associated 2,8-kilometer-long planetary hiking trail, visitors can learn interesting things about the solar system while taking a walk. The knowledge tour can be combined with a walk to the Bobritzer Dam. The dam is also known as the Kollauer Weir and is an impressive Mulde weir about three meters high that has a fish ladder. A new jetty was opened in 2015 especially for Mulde fans and boat tourists, making it easier to get on and off the river and from which you can paddle straight towards Bad Düben. The animal park in Eilenburg is a popular destination for families and animal lovers. 34 species of animals have their home in the four-hectare green oasis in the middle of the city park. Visitors can also explore a nature trail through wetlands and forest areas. The Luther Trail Saxony also stops in Eilenburg. The circular hiking trail is 550 kilometers long and leads through 27 places that are connected to the Reformation. Starting from Eilenburg, you can go on a pilgrimage towards Leipzig, Borna, Döbeln and Grimma or in the other direction to Wermsdorf and Nossen.
Eilenburg personalities
During the Reformation, the city became a center of the Protestant movement, and Martin Luther himself preached in St. Mary's Church. A well-known Eilenburg resident today is the painter, photographer and artist Sighard Gille, who was born in the city in 1941. Between 1980 and 1981, he created the ceiling painting "Song of Life" for the foyers of the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, which, with an area of 712 square meters, is considered the largest ceiling painting in Europe.
Eilenburg's diverse event calendar
Many events take place in Eilenburg every year. Traditionally in June, the town celebrates the Heinzelmännchenfest, which is organized by the Eilenburg Castle Association. It takes place around the Sorbenturm and brings Eilenburg's world of legends closer to children with a colorful supporting program. On the third weekend in June, the Eilenburg town festival attracts guests from near and far to the Mulde town every year. A three-day program of cultural highlights, culinary offerings, rides and stalls invite visitors to the town center. The traditional torchlight procession and the spectacular fireworks on Friday, the swimming duck race, the dry boat race and much more await visitors. The spring festival in April and the autumn festival in September also fill Eilenburg's town center with life.
Eilenburg's green surroundings
The gravel lake in the north of Eilenburg, which was created by the mining of gravel and sand, is an attractive gem where you can go swimming and be active. In addition to water skiing and boat and pedal boat rentals, there is also a camping area, children's playground and a volleyball court.
If you are looking for even more natural idyll, you can visit the spa town of Bad Düben, which is about 20 minutes by car from Eilenburg. Nestled in the charming heath landscape, it is a small paradise for nature lovers. If you are looking for peace and relaxation, we recommend a visit to the four-star superior HEIDE SPA Hotel & Resort.
Important facts at one glance
The large district town of Eilenburg is located in the Free State of Saxony, belongs to the district of North Saxony and is therefore in the Leipzig/Halle metropolitan region. The small town with its six districts is located on the edge of the Düben Heath and is around 25 kilometers from Leipzig. Today, around 16.000 people live in Eilenburg.