From the railway line to the road along the brown coal
In contrast to the incorporated districts, Neukieritzsch looks back on a relatively young history, which goes back less than 200 years: The development of the town is closely linked to the construction of the Saxon-Bavarian Railway. In 1842, the railway set up the only stop on its first section of the Leipzig-Altenburg line in an open field at what is now Neukieritzsch station. The station was located around three kilometers from the villages of Kieritzsch, Breunsdorf and Pürsten. After Kieritzsch station, the connecting lines to Borna were extended in 1867, to Chemnitz in 1872 and to Pegau in 1909. Due to its position as a railway junction, the town grew quickly and numerous factories were built. One example is the sugar beet factory founded in 1850, which became a wool laundry 14 years later.
The Breunsdorf brown coal union, founded in 1901 and headquartered south of the station, also promoted development. After the First World War, the Ruhr area was under French occupation due to the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. As this severely affected Germany's supply of hard coal, the state increasingly promoted brown coal mining, particularly in the Central German brown coal region. New settlements were built for the miners and Kieritzsch station was expanded to become an important marshalling yard. The merger of the towns of Kahnsdorf, Pürsten and Zöpen to form the municipality of Kahnsdorf made it necessary to reorganize the rapidly growing settlement west of the station. In response to this, the Nazi Reich Governor of Saxony, Martin Mutschmann, established the new place name "Neukieritzsch" for both the municipality and the station in 1935.
Before and after the Second World War, new industrial plants gradually emerged in the surrounding area. These included the Lippendorf ferroalloy plant from 1942, the Lippendorf power plant from 1963 and the Böhlen chemical plant. The new plants created a need for housing for workers and the people living on the company premises. As a result, new residential areas were built in the 1960s, with the eastern part of Neukieritzsch falling victim to brown coal mining between 1952 and 1957 when the Witznitz II opencast mine was excavated. Around 190 residents were affected by the relocation at the time.
Tour through Neukieritzsch
Visitors can start their tour of Neukieritzsch on the market square: In the middle of the square, the Luther monument immediately catches the eye in the form of a 3,50 meter high obelisk, which shows two cast-iron medallions with the portraits of Martin Luther and his wife Katharina von Bora. The monument was originally erected in 1817 on the Zöllsdorf estate and moved to its current location in Neukieritzsch in 1981. Not far from the Luther monument is the modern Katharina von Bora Church, which was inaugurated in 1998. Also worth seeing is the Kieritzsch Church in the district of the same name, just under three kilometers from the market square. The originally Romanesque choir tower church dates from the 15th century. The baroque-style building contains two relief medallions of Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther in the chancel and is visited by guests from all over the world as a Luther memorial.
In the Lippendorf district is the Katharina Luther House, formerly the Lippendorf estate and the presumed birthplace of Katharina von Bora. Today, visitors can view the exhibition "The Female Face of the Reformation" in the walls of the renovated rectory, which focuses on important Christian female personalities in the Leipzig region.
From cabaret to power plant tours
If you want to recharge your batteries in Neukieritzsch after a hike, a bike ride or a stroll through the town, you don't have to look far: a good place to stop is the "Auszeit" restaurant and café by the Swan Pond. In addition to the gastronomic offerings, the building also has a bowling alley, squash courts for sports fans and a sauna for those looking to relax. Musical and cultural events are also regularly held here, including performances by the Leipzig Central Cabaret. In addition to competitions, major events are also regularly held in the neighboring park arena. In the Swan Park, known locally as "Bruch", a long walk through the greenery is worthwhile.
The Lippendorf power plant in Neukieritzsch is one of the most modern brown coal power plants in Europe. During a two-hour guided tour, interested parties can take a look behind the scenes of the plant, visit the halls with their respective work stations and gain numerous technical insights. From the 163-meter-high boiler house, you have a unique view over the Leipzig Neuseenland.
“Mr. Käthe” – a Neukieritzsch celebrity
A well-known daughter of the community is none other than Katharina von Bora, who went down in history as Martin Luther's wife. According to historians, she was born in 1499 on the Lippendorf estate. Since Katharina was not only a committed mother, but also a critical pastor's wife and a far-sighted manager of a farm, her husband often affectionately called her "My Lord Käthe". In later years, Martin Luther bought the Zöllsdorf farm near Katharina's birthplace Lippendorf, which he designated as her retirement home in his will.
Following Friedrich Schiller's footsteps in Kahnsdorf
The annual Schiller Festival in the Rittergutspark Kahnsdorf is an integral part of the events calendar. It offers a varied program with young talents and experienced artists from different genres, who create an atmosphere steeped in history with film screenings, plays, concerts and readings. With the Schiller Festival, the local history association brings the life of the famous poet to life and connects his messages with the present day.
Friedrich Schiller lived on the Kahnsdorf manor during his lifetime. His life took a turn for the better in the manor house there, because in 1785 he met his future friend and patron Christian Gottfried Körner. Nestled in an old English park with ancient trees, the two buildings of the manor today form a unique architectural ensemble. The original wooden floorboards from 1686 creaked under the steps of Friedrich Schiller, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Theodor Körner. The listed building was renovated in 2009 and, with its integrated "
“ and the adjacent outdoor seating area is one of the most popular excursion destinations and event locations in the Neukieritzsch area.
surrounding area – something for every taste
If you fancy a more active visit, you can explore the countryside in Neukieritzsch on foot or by bike. Its convenient location on the Luther Trail, the Pleiße cycle path and the “Via Imperii” pilgrimage route means there are a variety of tours in the area. For those looking for relaxation, a trip to the adjacent Hainer See is worthwhile, which together with the Haubitzer and Kahnsdorfer See forms its own small lake landscape. Kahnsdorf, located on the western shore, has developed into a lakeside village with a promenade and harbor. The newly created promenade invites you to relax, unwind and stroll. On the small sandy beach, bathers and sun worshippers will find the best conditions for cooling off. The wide range of sports on offer at the lake ranges from sailing, kite surfing, diving, skating to quad biking. On the northern shore of the Hainer See, camping enthusiasts can spend a short vacation with a view of the Kahnsdorf lagoon.
Important facts at one glance
The municipality of Neukieritzsch has a population of around 7.000 in its six districts. Since Neukieritzsch train station is connected to the Central Germany S-Bahn, the town can be easily reached using the S5 and S6 lines. Neukieritzsch can be reached by car via the B176 federal highway.