The Emergence of the Sorbian Rundlingsdorf
Bennewitz was first mentioned in documents in 1335 and is one of the oldest settlements in the Mulde floodplain. The name probably comes from the Sorbian locator Bono or Bonislaw. The ending "witz" also indicates a Sorbian origin. The layout of the buildings as a circular village is also classic Sorbian. Bennewitz therefore probably came into being around 1.200 years ago during the migration of the Germanic tribes.
The Mulde flood in 2002 had a major impact on Bennewitz due to the railway bridge on the Leipzig-Dresden line that crossed the Mulde. The bridge significantly reduced the cross-section of the Mulde bed and the floodwater flowed off to the side. It sought its escape route along its old riverbed - right through the center of the community.
Exploration tour through Bennewitz
Visitors can start a tour of Bennewitz at the village church, which is well worth seeing. The single-nave choir tower church with a straight choir end, gable roof and plain roofing is of architectural and local historical significance. A war memorial with memorial stones made of porphyry tuff in the church garden commemorates the First World War. Also of local historical significance is the Bennewitz cemetery, where the tomb of the soldier Siegfried Kummer from 1939 stands. It is an example of the burial of Wehrmacht members of the Second World War in their homeland.
The oldest tower windmill in Saxony is located in the Grubnitz district. The four-storey solid structure with a hood and rod cross was built in 1868 and operated with wind power until the 1920s.
The manor house in the Leulitz district is also worth a visit. The baroque building, built in 1773, has a hipped roof and a Renaissance seating niche. The Bennewitz Inn also has an interesting history. The building, with Art Nouveau details and cast-iron columns, is richly decorated and was very popular as an entertainment venue with lavish parties in the 19th and 20th centuries. The inn was in operation until 2016 and now serves as a home for assisted living.
Fun and food at Forsthof Waidmannsheil
In the Schmölen district is the Forsthof Waidmannsheil, which invites you to enjoy a leisurely meal and various events. It offers a lot of variety, especially for children, who can let off steam on the adventure playground, the extensive outdoor area and the wooden nature trail. Meanwhile, adults can relax with food and drink in the cozy grill hut or on the sunny south-facing terrace with a view of the Planitzwald.
Outstanding personalities of the municipality of Bennewitz
Bennewitz has produced several personalities who are well-known beyond the town's borders. Among them is Werner Moser, once the longest-serving mayor in Saxony. He was mayor of the municipality of Pausitz from 1970 to 1974 and, after its incorporation into Bennewitz, he held the office of mayor of the newly formed municipality of Bennewitz until 2006. Albert Kuntz, the well-known KPD politician and resistance fighter against National Socialism, was also born in Bennewitz. The anti-fascist, who was executed by the Nazis in the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp in 1945, enjoyed great recognition in the GDR. Other sons of Bennewitz are the cyclist Dieter Grabe, who became famous as a multiple winner of the GDR championships, the sculptor Alfred Sabisch, born in the district of Deuben, and the film director Gottfried Kolditz, who was born in the district of Altenbach.
country festival and apple squeezing
A popular event is the Wurzener Land Festival in Thallwitz, in which - in addition to the municipality of Lossatal - Bennewitz also takes part. The festival took place for the first time in Wurzen in 2017. Since then, the municipalities have taken turns as hosts and invite regional traders, craftsmen and clubs from the Wurzener Land to present themselves at the festival. In addition to numerous stalls, there is a varied stage program with performances by artists and clubs. In the Bennewitz district of Nepperwitz, apples are pressed once a year in autumn. Anyone who wants to can bring their own apples and have them pressed into fresh apple juice on the mobile apple press.
Hiking, cycling and paddling in the area
South of Bennewitz, the Planitzwald forest stretches as far as Altenhain. It is particularly suitable for long walks, bike tours and hikes in the Großsteinberg-Ammelshain nature reserve. The Muldental hiking trail from Wurzen to Eilenburg, with a total length of around 15 kilometers, also runs through the municipality. An idyllic section of the popular Mulde cycle path on small paths along the Vereinigte Mulde also crosses the town.
Located directly on the Mulde, Bennewitz is the ideal starting point for a water adventure. The boat rental company Marineking offers various SUPs and paddle boats for up to ten people, which make for a varied day trip. Thanks to the shuttle service, various starting and destination points in the area can be reached, so that everyone interested can choose a suitable distance and route.
Important facts at one glance
Bennewitz is home to around 12 residents in its 5.000 districts. The town is connected to the B6 and B107 as well as the railway line from Leipzig to Dresden. Bennewitz is in tariff zone 141 and is easily accessible by S-Bahn line 3 from Leipzig, which is around 25 kilometers away.