According to legend, a boy hid in the enemy camp during the war to gather secret information and thus warn his emperor. The opposing Sorbs discovered him and put him in a sack as punishment. The boy managed to escape during the night - but he had to escape from the camp by jumping in the sack. The statue of the Sackhupper on the Dahlen market square is dedicated to this legend and is still considered a symbol of the heath town today.

city ​​with centuries-old trading tradition

Settlement in the area around Dahlen can be dated back several thousand years. 5.000 years ago, Germanic and later Sorbian tribes lived together in the town. Remains of a Slavic rampart can still be seen on the castle hill. In the 10th century, Germans settled in the town, but without driving the Sorbs out - this is proven today by many names of Slavic origin. Dahlen was first mentioned in a document in 1188. In 1228, Dahlen was already referred to as a town in a document by Pope Gregory IX. At that time, Dahlen belonged to the diocese of Naumburg, whose symbolism is still reflected in the town's coat of arms today. In the course of its almost 800-year history, the heath town has repeatedly experienced serious setbacks due to devastating town fires, wars, plague and famine. However, due to its favorable location near an important trade route, the town has always been able to recover economically. Pronounced agriculture and later forestry gave Dahlen the typical character of a farming town in which small craft and trade businesses as well as trade could develop. Dahlen became internationally famous in 1763, when the Prussian King Frederick II signed the Peace of Hubertusburg on behalf of the Prussians at the end of the Seven Years' War in Dahlen Castle. The municipality of Dahlen has existed in its current form since March 1, 1994.

Historical sights

The town hall, which is a defining feature of the town, is located on the spacious market square. The brick building was built in 1888 in its current historicist form and is decorated with stepped gables and a characteristic roof turret with a lantern. The adjacent town houses give the town center the historic flair of the former farming town. Another attraction in the town is the late Gothic town church "Our Lady", which can look back on over 500 years of history and - alongside Dahlen Castle - shapes the townscape. Particularly impressive is the oversized fresco on the south wall of the choir, which depicts Saint Christopher with the Christ Child.

Also worth seeing is Dahlen Castle, a late baroque castle complex built by Count Heinrich von Bünau in the middle of the 18th century. Before that, a simple half-timbered manor house stood on the site of the castle until 1731. After the fire in 1973, only a ruin remained of the castle. After clearing and securing work, the castle has been restored by an association since 2009. The hunting hall enriches the complex, the main staircase is accessible again and the Imperial Hall and Hall of Mirrors have been given an artistic parquet floor. A visit to the entire castle complex is worthwhile, as the park is home to one of the oldest tulip trees in Saxony. Various events such as the flower and castle flea market or readings and concerts fill the historic halls with life. Anyone interested in the history of the castle can find out more in the local museum. An entire room is dedicated to the history of the building and its owner family, the Counts of Bünau. The museum also features exhibitions on the city's history, as well as historical musical instruments and a small weapons collection.

State-recognized health resort Schmannewitz

The oldest place in the heath is today's Dahlen district of Schmannewitz. It was founded in the middle of the 12th century and quickly developed into a place of recreation. The famous zoologist and world traveler Alfred Brehm also stayed as a guest in the Dahlen heath. On the occasion of 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. The baroque village church is a cultural and historical sight. The plans for the church, built in 1732, were drawn up by the famous George Bähr, the architect of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. The baroque-style Rühle organ from 1977 has 17 registers on 2 manuals and a pedal. At the annual organ benefit concert, you can listen to the sounds of the queen of instruments.

The Farmers' Museum is also worth a visit. It is located in an old North Saxon farmhouse and houses, among other things, historical household items and agricultural equipment. It thus provides an authentic insight into the living and working conditions of farmers over 100 years ago. Next door, in the former "exit house", is the tourist information office. The post mill, the fire service history exhibition and the animal enclosure are also worth a visit.

There is also a wide range of accommodation and leisure activities. In addition, two rehabilitation clinics were opened in Schmannewitz in 1996, ensuring even greater public traffic. On hot days, both Dahlen residents and visitors can find cool refreshment in the Schmannewitz forest pool, in the middle of the Dahlener Heide.

Walddorf Ochsensaal

Ochsensaal, another district of Dahlen, is surrounded by forest ponds and woods and is an ideal starting point for hikes in the area around the Schildberg or to the Sieben-Quellental. The village church probably dates back to the 12th century. Southwest of Ochsensaal lies the largest pond in the Dahlener Heide, the Dammühlenteich, which covers 13 hectares. With the inn and guesthouse "Haus am Dammühlenteich" and a campsite, it is an insider tip for outdoor enthusiasts and water lovers alike.

Experience Dahlen's gastronomy

Visitors can enjoy Dahlen's hospitality, for example, in the family-run restaurant "Jagdhaus Dahlen" in the middle of the forests of the Dahlener Heide. Seasonal and regional dishes are served in the restaurant and on the summer terrace. The restaurant is also the starting point for numerous hiking trails. Another tip is the "Waldrestaurant Hospitalhütte". The excursion and specialty restaurant in the middle of the Dahlener Heide attracts visitors with its historic lumberjack's lodge, its own trout farm, in-house smokehouse and a stone oven bakery.

Famous people

Heinrich Graf von Bünau, a German statesman and historian and son of the Electorate of Saxony Chancellor Heinrich von Bünau, is associated with Dahlen. Between 1744 and 1751 he had the original Dahlen manor converted into the current castle with a courtyard of honour and an orangery in the Dresden Baroque style. The German Baroque architect George Bähr, whose main work is the Dresden Frauenkirche, also left his mark on the town. The baroque Schmannewitz village church is based on his designs. It was built as a single-nave building in 1731/32. The octagonal tower and the interior with the galleries date from the late 18th century.

An event calendar full of highlights

Heath walking takes place every year in April and September. From Dahlen, you can experience Nordic walking under professional guidance along an impressive natural backdrop. There are also regular autumn and family hikes through the heath. Since 1995, the enduro sport event "Around Dahlen" has taken place in the Dahlen area in spring. The motorcycle off-road sport event attracts guests from numerous countries every year.
Since 2006, the crowning of the Dahlen Heath Queen has taken place every two years. All local and nature lovers aged 18 and over who are, if possible, from the Dahlen Heath and know their homeland as well as possible can apply. During her term of office, the Heath Queen can represent the Dahlen Heath in all its beauty and inspire guests from near and far.

Important facts at one glance

The heath town of Dahlen is located in the middle of the cities of Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz in the district of North Saxony. Around 10 residents live in 4.500 districts. The town is located in the area of ​​the Central German Transport Association and is connected to local public transport. The heath town can be reached by train via the Leipzig-Dresden railway line. Federal Highway 6 runs through the south of the municipal area near Neuböhla. There are further connections via three state roads.