In the well-preserved town centre, visitors can marvel at further historical relics. In 2006, the Saxon State Garden Show took place in Oschatz. After the show, the 20 hectare site was turned over as a municipal recreation area. There is also a stop on the narrow-gauge railway "Wilder Robert" there.
The Treasures of Oschatz Through the Ages
The name Oschatz comes from the former Sorbian and early German castle in the district of Altoschatz and derives from the town of Oscec. In 1238, Oschatz was granted town rights in a declaration of fiefdom by Margrave Henry III of Meissen. The oldest document in the town archives, a letter of indulgence from Bishop Conrad of Meissen, is dated 1246. The town was granted market rights in 1394, so that weekly and annual markets could be held. After a period of prosperity, the Bohemian Hussites invaded in 1429 and devastated the town. The current town hall was built on Neumarkt in 1477. During the Reformation period from 1520 to 1533, many Oschatz residents professed Luther's teachings. During this time, the reformer Philipp Melanchthon stopped in Oschatz.
At the beginning of the 17th century, Oschatz was one of the largest towns in Saxony with 3.500 inhabitants. After the Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648 and as a result of the plague in 1637, the town was in debt and devastated. In 1650, Oschatz had only 1.750 inhabitants. From 1724, the master clothmaker Johann Christian Nicolai produced high-quality cloth in Oschatz and increased the reputation of the local cloth factory. Nicolai even became a court supplier to the Elector of Saxony. At the end of the 18th century, a cloth factory was established, the "Tuchfabrique zu Oschatz". The clothmaker's courtyard in Hospitalstrasse still bears witness to this period.
During the reign of Augustus the Strong, three post mile posts from the Electorate of Saxony were erected in Oschatz in 1724. They indicate the distance to other towns and the travel time. The purpose of the post mile posts was to standardize postal charges. A replica of the post mile post still exists today at the end of Brüderstraße.
With the beginning of industrialization and the construction of the railway line, Oschatz was also connected to the long-distance railway line from Leipzig to Dresden in 1838. In addition, the narrow-gauge railway from Oschatz to Mügeln was built in 1885. The Pfitzer brothers founded one of the first scale factories in Germany in Oschatz in 1845. Today, the development of scales can be admired in the town and scale museum in Frongasse. Oschatz was spared large-scale destruction during the Second World War. After reunification, the town's historical treasures, including the Vogtshaus, St. Aegidien Church and the town hall, were extensively renovated and today appear in new splendor.
Treasure Hunt in (O)Schatz
When you arrive in Oschatz, you will notice the steam and diesel trains of the popular narrow-gauge railway at the station, which you can use regularly to travel into the town and the surrounding area. A stroll through Oschatz's town centre is also worthwhile. From Bahnhofstrasse, the path leads directly to the Altmarkt. This was created in the 11th century as a merchant settlement around which the town developed. During the redesign in 2003, the market was given a new look. The eye-catcher is the Altmarkt fountain, created in 2004 by the Oschatz sculptor Joachim Zehme from Saxon sandstone. This offers a wealth of details and refers to the "treasures" associated with Oschatz. Hidden symbols, allegories and allusions also connect the cycles of water, the seasons and life. From the Altmarkt in the direction of Brüderstrasse, the path leads past the legendary Thomas Müntzer House. The history of the site goes back to the 16th century. Famous people such as Johann Wolfgang Goethe stayed here in the former “Zum Löwen” inn. Today’s town hall is also an attractive conference venue and has four rooms of different sizes for capacities from 10 to 460 people. The foyer with its 280 square meters is available for receptions.
On the way to the monastery church you pass the Elisabeth Chapel, built in the 14th century. It is part of the former poorhouse. The chapel has been preserved in its original decoration with a cross-ribbed vault, the keystones of which are decorated with roses. The monastery church, just a few meters away, is the only surviving building of the Franciscan monastery, which was built in 1228. With its tall, slender pillars, it is a testament to medieval architecture and definitely worth a visit. After the Reformation, it was rarely used for church purposes and until 1924 served as a monastery hospital, hay store and riding hall for the Uhlan Regiment, among other things.
Opposite the monastery church, Frongasse leads into the city center along the former city wall with a replica of the wooden battlement built in 1518. Behind it you can see a former watchtower that was built in 1377. The climb up is worthwhile for a view of the city. The small alley leads directly to the city and scale museum in the historic buildings of the council and district fortresses, which also include the watchtower. This is the only scale museum in central Germany. Over 130 examples are on display, from a delicate gold scale to a monstrous salt scale to the most modern weighing equipment. The faithfully reconstructed workshop of a wagon maker in the external extension of the museum is also impressive.
The nearby St. Aegidien Church is the town's landmark and was named after the patron saint of merchants, "St. Aegidius". The Protestant church was built in the 11th century and was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style after a fire in 1842. The central altarpiece made of stained glass is particularly admirable. The tower keeper's apartment, 63 meters high, is also worth a visit. Opposite the church is the Vogtshaus. As the oldest Romanesque stone house of secular construction in Saxony, the building is an architectural sight. Here you can discover examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau architecture. On the east side of the St. Aegidien Church there is a staircase leading down to the Neumarkt. A basket pillory is attached to the side of the pillory. The pillory and the "stone bottles" above date from the 16th century.
Next to it is the town hall with a Renaissance gable and a towering clock tower. After the town fire of 1842, it was built according to plans by the famous Dresden architect Gottfried Semper. The council chamber from 1595, which was preserved after the fire, is worth seeing. In the next room there are unique historical pieces: a copy of the "Sachsenspiegel" from 1382 and letters from the reformers Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. There is a real treasure on the Neumarkt: the market fountain from 1589 was made from Saxon sandstone by the Leipzig stonemason Gregor Richter. Even today, the impressive town houses around the fountain on the Neumarkt bear witness to the historical wealth of the merchant settlement.
The city tour continues along Seminarstrasse to the O-Schatz Park. The site of the former state garden show, which attracted over 2006 visitors in 500.000, is now a popular place to relax. In the "O" you can admire the second largest coffee pot exhibition in the world.
Experience Oschatz
Visitors can experience a special themed tour with the merchant's wife Johanna Sophia Lochmann. The "Lochmann tour" begins at the St. Aegidien Church and leads past the butcher's shops. This building, first mentioned in 1266, is the oldest documented secular Renaissance building in Oschatz. Opposite is the "Zum Schwan" inn, built in 1458, one of the oldest inns in Saxony. Other themed city tours can be booked at the Oschatz Information Center.
The city's events calendar also has real treasures to offer: in June there is a city festival with a large merchant and club mile. The fashion night in September is also something special. Here visitors can stroll through the shops until late in the evening and get inspiration from the fashion shows on the Neumarkt. Things get cozy at the Christmas market, which takes place every year on the second weekend of Advent.
Explore natural treasures in the area
For active people, the “Platsch” leisure facility in Oschatz, which will be renovated in 2020, offers relaxation in seven saunas, attractive indoor and outdoor swimming facilities and a modern bowling alley.
Anyone who wants to explore the region as a tourist can take part in numerous themed trips on the Döllnitzbahn. The legendary narrow-gauge railway "Wilder Robert" takes visitors along the Saxon steam railway route to Mügeln. Along this route, you can also get off at stations such as Glossen, Kemmlitz, Schweta or Naundorf and hike along the railway embankment and the nature trail. There are other options for active people: whether you have your own bike or rent one, you can enjoy nature to the fullest on the Mulde-Elbe cycle path, which runs 45 kilometers from Strehla through Oschatz to Trebsen.
Important facts at one glance
Oschatz has 10 districts in which over 14.000 residents live. The district town is located on the Leipzig-Dresden railway line. Oschatz is easy to reach by car via the A14 Mutzschen exit (20 km), Leisnig exit (12 km) and the federal highway 6.