But it is not just the charming old town that attracts many visitors to the picturesque town every year; the Saxon town is also worth a visit as the birthplace of the writer, painter and cabaret artist Joachim Ringelnatz. Born in Wurzen in 1883 as Hans Gustav Bötticher, Ringelnatz rose to national fame during the Weimar Republic, particularly through his humorous poems about the sailor “Kuttel Daddeldu”. For this reason, Wurzen is the only town in Germany that can call itself the “Ringelnatz town”. The quirky artist is remembered in many places in the townscape. He also adorns the town’s logo.
From a wealthy bishop's residence to an industrial city
Wurzen was first mentioned in 961 in a document by Otto I as civitas vurcine. The castle and the market settlement derived their importance from their location at the crossing of the Via Regia over the Mulde river and its intersection with an old salt road from Halle to Prague. The development of the town reached a peak in the 15th and 16th centuries, when the bishops of Meissen resided here for a time and shaped the townscape to this day with the construction contracts for the castle, the town church of St. Wenceslai and the extension of the cathedral. After the division of Leipzig, Wurzen came to Albertine Saxony in 1582, which had Wurzen and the surrounding abbey area (Wurzener Land) administered by a specially appointed "Electoral Saxon abbey government of Wurzen" (until 1818). In 1838, Wurzen was connected to the German railway network. In this context, the first railway bridge in Germany was built over the Mulde, which is now the oldest railway bridge in Germany still in operation. Wurzen then rose to prosper as an industrial city. The food and textile industries in particular helped the city to prosper. The Second World War ended for Wurzen with the surrender of the city to the Americans without a fight on April 2th, which is now commemorated by a memorial plaque on the town hall. In 24, in honor of Joachim Ringelnatz, the house where he was born, built in 1983, was turned over as a Ringelnatz memorial and a market fountain with a figure of the poet was inaugurated.
castle and cathedral town of Wurzen
Wurzen Castle was built between 1491 and 1497 in the style of Saxon late Gothic and early Renaissance as a bishop's residence. The castle is an impressive transition from a medieval fortified castle to a residential palace. This is evidenced by the moat with drawbridge that still exists today, as well as the two strong towers that give the castle a defiant appearance. The castle served as the residence of the bishops of Meissen until 1581. After being used as a district court and police station, a private investor opened a restaurant in 2003 and a castle hotel two years later. Five differently designed halls can be rented for weddings, company parties and other events. Guided tours take place every last Sunday of the month. Tower climbs are also possible. Right next to the castle is St. Mary's Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1114. It is one of the oldest and most interesting religious buildings in Saxony and houses a Jehmlich organ from 1931/32. A special feature is the church's uniform furnishing with architectural sculptures by the important German sculptor Georg Wrba. The cathedral also serves as a venue for concerts.
The city's second church, the city church of St. Wenceslai, was consecrated in the middle of the 13th century. In addition to the castle and the cathedral, the expressive baroque dome of the west tower dominates the city's skyline. There is also a lot to see inside the church. In 1999, an Eule organ was inaugurated in the chancel, which was designed according to the sound concept of an 18th century French organ. Other special treasures include an altar crucifix from the 15th century and a painting of the Entombment of Christ from the school of Cranach the Elder.
Lots to see and discover
The lavishly restored town center with its picturesque alleys, buildings and squares invites you to explore and linger. The imposing mill towers of the Krietschmühle, which can be seen from afar on the horizon, are particularly characteristic of Wurzen's "town face". Then as now, baked goods and food are produced by two large companies at this traditional location. The green heart of the city is the 1879-hectare Wurzen City Park, which was created in 16. The idyllic pond with fountain and grotto attracts many visitors. Well-kept park paths through 18-meter-high, extensive trees and extensive green areas invite you to take a walk. A popular photo motif is the medieval-looking round tower made of rubble stone with a tin wreath and attached turret, which was built in 1888. In addition, the city forest in the north of Wurzen offers locals and guests a break from everyday life. The forest covers around 100 hectares and is home to 40 different animal species. The highest elevation in the south of the city is the Wachtelberg at 148,5 meters. As early as 1908, it received an observation tower, the Bismarck Tower, which offers a view of up to 40 kilometers across the Muldenland. The surrounding Wachtelberg-Mühlbachtal nature reserve is the oldest natural monument (since 1911) for endangered plants in Saxony. Only here can you admire the "Pasqueflower", popularly known as the "Easter flower."
Many paths lead through Wurzen
In 2008, Wurzen dedicated the Ringelnatz Trail to its famous son, which takes you along 13 stations to discover the city's most important sights. At each location there is a stele with a portrait of the poet and a short excerpt from his works. The route includes Jacobsgasse (formerly Jacobstor), Badergraben, St. Wenceslai's Church and Ringelnatz's birthplace, where regular events have been taking place since autumn 2016. The Cultural History Museum of the City of Wurzen houses the most important Ringelnatz collection in Germany, as well as permanent exhibitions on the city's and cultural history.
Wurzen is also crossed by the Ecumenical Way of St. James and the Via Regia, the oldest and longest land connection between Eastern and Western Europe. The pilgrimage route crosses Wurzen from Roitzsch to the Muldenaue. The Luther Trail Saxony also stops in Wurzen. From here you can continue hiking via Torgau towards Bad Düben or via Grimma, Colditz, Mügeln and Leisnig to Döbeln. There are also a number of (cycle) hiking trails on which you can discover Wurzen. On the Mulde cycle path towards Eilenburg or Sermuth you can discover the interesting flora and fauna in the Mulde valley. On the route, cyclists can switch to the Mulde-Elbe cycle route in Nerchau or follow the Leipzig-Elbe cycle route in Wurzen.
The Wurzen region
In 2013, the municipalities of Wurzen, Thallwitz, Lossatal and Bennewitz merged to form Wurzener Land, named after the historical dominion of the Wurzen bishops. And the collaboration is not only economically sensible - there are also many advantages for tourism. In Lossatal, it is worth visiting the geoportal Museum Steinarbeiterhaus and the animal enclosure in Dornreichenbach directly on the famous Way of St. James. The post mill in Kühnitzsch and the castle and park in Thammenhain are also worth seeing. The municipality of Thallwitz is located in the northernmost tip of the Saxon Burgenland. The KulturGUT is located in the middle of the village of Thallwitz. It is part of the ensemble of the former Thallwitz manor and can be rented for all kinds of events. The municipality of Bennewitz is one of the oldest settlements in the Muldenaue. One of the attractions of the main town is the town hall, built in 1994. To the southwest lies the charming Planitzwald forest with its rare plants and animals.
An event calendar full of highlights
The city's most famous son is honored in his home town every year on his birthday on August 7th with a week of festivals - the "Ringelnatz Summer". In addition to a musical tour of the Ringelnatz path, there are musical and scenic performances, an exhibition opening, and cabaret and chansons about Joachim Ringelnatz, Erich Kästner and Friedrich Holländer. The series of events "Fridays in Crostigall 14" is also entirely in the spirit of art, combining readings, concerts and cabaret performances that take place in the Ringelnatzhaus. Sports enthusiasts get their money's worth at the annual Ringelnatz Run in August. Runners can prove themselves on five and ten kilometer routes. The Wurzen Country Festival takes place every year in June and aims to strengthen the sense of community in the communities of Wurzen, Thallwitz, Lossatal and Bennewitz.
Exploring the city and the countryside
Wurzen is surrounded by the unique river landscape of the Mulde with extensive floodplains and rolling hills. The Hohburg Mountains, whose area is a nature reserve, are about 10 minutes away by car. The Dahlen Heath and the Wermsdorf Forest are two of the most impressive landscape conservation areas in Saxony and are located not far from Wurzen. Large forests, idyllic ponds and a species-rich natural environment invite you to go on long bike rides and hikes. The municipality of Wermsdorf is also worth a visit. The baroque hunting residence of Hubertusburg Castle with its impressive architecture is the largest castle in Saxony and the venue for annual open-air concerts. In the immediate vicinity of Wurzen you can also visit Machern Castle or Trebsen Castle.
Important facts at one glance
Wurzen is a large district town in the north-east of the Leipzig district. Around 16.500 people live in fifteen districts. Wurzen is located on the eastern bank of the Mulde, around 30 kilometers east of Leipzig, on the oldest German long-distance railway line Leipzig-Dresden and on the federal highway 6. In the southeast, the city borders on the Wermsdorf Forest. The A 14, which runs south of the city, can be reached via the Grimma junction. From Leipzig, Wurzen can be reached in around a quarter of an hour on the regional express train in the direction of Dresden or half an hour on the S-Bahn S4.