Open for Discoveries

Old Town Walking Tour through Bischofswerda

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Town History

Town History

The medieval city center of Bischofswerda (in Sorbian “Bis-kopicy”) is located on a flat hill made of ice-age sand and gravel, dropping off gently on all sides. Most likely this ele-vation in the midst of inhospitable marshland was settled by Sorbs around the year 600 and given the name “Wer-da“, meaning river island. There are many indications that the name and origins of our modern-day city are thanks to Bishop “Benno, Count of Waldenburg“, head of the Meis-sen diocese. It is said that he transformed Bischofswerda from a “small and insignificant market town” into a proper city, setting up a church there in 1076.

The first historical mention of Bischofswerda was in 1227. In 1286, a ring wall and moat were created under Bishop Withigo I. It was around this time that the town gates were built as well as the tower at Dresden Gate (Fronfeste am Dresdner Tor). Thus, the conditions were set to be granted a town charter. In 1361, Bischofswerda officially became a city. Crafts and trades quickly developed in the ensuing years. The bakery trade is historically documented from as early as 1379, followed by cobbler, furrier, clothwor-ker, locksmith, blacksmith, wheelwright, cartwright, linen-weaver, mason, butcher, tailor and needlemaker guilds. The town brewers were soon to follow, forming a union of their own.

The city received its coat of arms and seal in 1392. After being granted market rights in 1406, it developed into a town of traders and crafts-men. As an economic center and place of pilgrimage, the city en-joyed extensive market privileges until the Reformation in 1558, when the rule of Meissen bishops came to an end and the city fell into the hands of Saxon electors. The coat of arms has since been blue and gold, with two crossed golden-yellow bishop’s crosiers and four six-pointed stars against a blue background.

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Bischofswerda about 1837

Two centuries marked by wars and epidemics followed until the great conflagration of May 12, 1813, presumably caused by the negligence of French troops after capturing the city. The fire left only three buildings within the ring wall untouched, along the city wall. The future mayor Hein-rich Gottlob Süssmilch played a key role in rebuilding the city after 1813. Various buildings, including Christ Church (Christuskirche), the Town Hall (Rathaus) and the res-taurant “Zum goldenen Löwen“, were erected according to the plans of Dresden court architect Gottlob Friedrich Thormeyer in a classicist style and are landmark structu-res of the city today.

With the construction of the Saxon-Silesian Railroad and the opening of the Bischofswerda train station in 1845, existing manufactories were modernized and new fac-tories built in the ensuing decades. A variety of public facilities, the “Butterberg” hill-top restaurant, the marksmen’s clubhouse (Schützenhaus) and new streets were constructed as well.

The Bischofswerda district was formed in 1952 in the course of administrative reform, combining parts of the Ka-menz, Bautzen, Pirna and nonmetropolitan Dresden are-as. Bischofswerda was a district town and administrative center until 1994. In 1998 the city earned the title of “major district town.” The old market square was put under histo-rical protection in 1980 and in 1995 the downtown area of Bischofswerda was declared a redevelopment area, ha-ving since been almost completely restored.

The Bischofswerda city walking tour starts at the clas-sicistTown Hall (Rathaus).Thiscen-trallylocatedbuildingontheOldTownSquarehouses themayor’s office, theregistryoffice,thecitizens’advicebu-reau aswell as theCity and Tourist Information Center.

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The Paradise Fountain (Paradiesbrunnen), popularlyknown as “Eva Fountain”, was un-veiled in November 1914 in a secretceremonyat10o’clockintheeveningtocommemoratethe100thanniversaryofthecityfirein1813.Theworkwascreated by Dresden sculptors KöpplandPolte.

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The so-called Bishop’s Resi- dence (Bischofssitz), located onDresdenerStrasse1,isalsoanimpressiveclassiciststructure.Itsarchitecturalhigh-lightistheroundstairtowerwithitsLatincupola.TheBishop’s Residence housesthePublic Library, theCultureOffice,the Office for Education, Youth andSportsaswellastheCarl Lohse Gallery.

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Birkengasse,attheedgeofthe city center, offers a fantasticview of the rowing pond (Gondel-teich) and open-air swimming pool.Themasonryworkvisiblethereistheremains of the old City Wall, builtin1286asaringwallwithmoatandrampartsaroundthepresentcitycenter.

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City Walking Tour

The New Market Square (Neumarkt) is also known as“Potter’sMarket“,areminderofwhatwasoncetradedhere.Thecannonballscemented into a number of doorwayson theadjoiningstreetscommemoratethebattleof1813,asfreshlyconstruc-tedbuildingswerestruckbycountlessprojectiles.

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The tower (Fronfeste), built around 1286, was originally afortification at Dresden Gate. It waslater used as a prison and detentionhouse, and is the oldest existing buil-dinginthecityofBischofswerda.

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Located not far from the city center isLuther Park, uniquenot only for its giant linden trees andadventure playground but also for itshistoricalmarkers.A stone bench ser-vesasareminderoftheendofFried-rich August the Just’s imprisonment,andanerraticblockcommemoratesthegreatconflagration.

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St. Benno’s Catholic Church, builtinArtDecostyle,issitua-tedinanidyllicandpeacefullocation.The stone figure at the left-hand cor-nerof thechurch isa reminderofBi-shopBennoofMeissen,whoissaidtohavefoundedthecityandbecamethechurch’snamesake.

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Route of the City Walking Tour (ca. 60 minutes)

Käthe-Kollwitz-

Park

Luther-park

Schiller-park

Goethe-park

Alter Friedhof

NeuerFriedhof

Bautze

ner S

tr.

Bautz

ener

Str.

Kirchs

tr.

H.-Muntschick-Str.

Kamenzer Str.

Dresde

ner S

tr.Am L

uthe

rpar

k

Lutherstr.

Bahnhofstr.

Dresd

ener

Str.

Am Hof

Pfar

rgas

se

Am Müh

lteich

Kam

enze

r Str. August-König-Str.

Fleischergasse

Kirchs

tr. Schmöllner Weg

Wallgasse

Neu-markt

Alt-markt

Am Schillerplatz

Am Schille

rpl.

Neustädter Str.

Bahnhofstr.

Karl-Li

ebkn

echt-

Str.

Goethe-Gymnasium

KulturhausGrund- und Mittelschule

Polizei

Freibad

Tierpark

Feuerwehr

Christus-kirche

kathol.Kirche

St. Benno

Rat-haus

Bischof-sitz undGalerie

Bahnhof

Oberlausitz- Kliniken

Bischofswerda

Stadion

Kampf-bahn

Wesnitzsport-park

Käthe-Käthe-K e-Kollwitz-

kParkarkark

Luther-park

Schiller-park

Goethe-Goethe-Goethe-park

AlterFriedhof

NeuerFriedhof

Bautze

ner S

tr.

Bautz

ener

Str.

tKirc

hstr.

H.-Muntschick-Str.

Kamenzer Str.

amenze

Dresde

ner S

tr.r Strr S

tr

D

Am L

uthe

rpar

k

ALutherstr.

Bahnhofstr.

hhof tr

Dresd

ener

Str.

Am Hof

A

Pfar

rgas

seas

se

Am Müh

lteich

Kam

enze

r Str. August-König-Str.

Fleischergassegasse

Fleisch

Kirchs

tr.rch

str

K

Schmöllner Weg

Wallgasseasse

Wa

Neu-u-Nmarktm rkt

Alt-Altmarktmarkt

Am Schillerplatz

Am Schille

rpl.

Am Schille

rp

Neustädter Str.

eerter S

Bahnhofstr.

Karl-Li

ebkn

echt-

Str.

GoetheGoetheGoethe-GymnasiumGymnasiumGymnasium

KulturhausurhaurhauGrund- undund- undrund- undMittelschuleittelschMittelsch

PolizeiPoPol

Freibadib

rkTierparkTierparkT arkarkerer

FeuerwehrFeuerwehrFeuerwehr

Christus-Ch i tkirche

kathol.kathol.hohoKircheKircheKirche

nnoooSt. BSt. Benn Benn

Rat-Rat-Rat-shhhaushaus

chof-f-BiBisischischnene undundsssitz usitz u HHGalerialerGaGa mm

BahnhofBahnhnhonho

Oberlausitz-Kliniken

Bischofswerda

Stadion

Kampf-bahn

WesnitzsportWesnitzspoWesWe portspor -parkp

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Route of the City Walking Tour (ca. 60 minutes)

Käthe-Kollwitz-

Park

Luther-park

Schiller-park

Goethe-park

Alter Friedhof

NeuerFriedhof

Bautze

ner S

tr.

Bautz

ener

Str.

Kirchs

tr.

H.-Muntschick-Str.

Kamenzer Str.

Dresde

ner S

tr.Am L

uthe

rpar

k

Lutherstr.

Bahnhofstr.

Dresd

ener

Str.

Am Hof

Pfar

rgas

se

Am Müh

lteich

Kam

enze

r Str. August-König-Str.

Fleischergasse

Kirchs

tr. Schmöllner Weg

WallgasseNeu-markt

Alt-markt

Am Schillerplatz

Am Schille

rpl.

Neustädter Str.

Bahnhofstr.

Karl-Li

ebkn

echt-

Str.

Goethe-Gymnasium

KulturhausGrund- und Mittelschule

Polizei

Freibad

Tierpark

Feuerwehr

Christus-kirche

kathol.Kirche

St. Benno

Rat-haus

Bischof-sitz undGalerie

Bahnhof

Oberlausitz- Kliniken

Bischofswerda

Stadion

Kampf-bahn

Wesnitzsport-park

Käthe-Käthe-K e-Kollwitz-

kParkarkark

Luther-park

Schiller-park

Goethe-Goethe-Goethe-park

AlterFriedhof

NeuerFriedhof

Bautze

ner S

tr.

Bautz

ener

Str.

tKirc

hstr.

H.-Muntschick-Str.

Kamenzer Str.

amenze

Dresde

ner S

tr.r Strr S

tr

D

Am L

uthe

rpar

k

ALutherstr.

Bahnhofstr.

hhof tr

Dresd

ener

Str.

Am Hof

A

Pfar

rgas

seas

se

Am Müh

lteich

Kam

enze

r Str. August-König-Str.

Fleischergassegasse

Fleisch

Kirchs

tr.rch

str

K

Schmöllner Weg

Wallgasseasse

WaNeu-u-Nmarktm rkt

Alt-Altmarktmarkt

Am Schillerplatz

Am Schille

rpl.

Am Schille

rp

Neustädter Str.

eerter S

Bahnhofstr.

Karl-Li

ebkn

echt-

Str.

GoetheGoetheGoethe-GymnasiumGymnasiumGymnasium

KulturhausurhaurhauGrund- undund- undrund- undMittelschuleittelschMittelsch

PolizeiPoPol

Freibadib

rkTierparkTierparkT arkarkerer

FeuerwehrFeuerwehrFeuerwehr

Christus-Ch i tkirche

kathol.kathol.hohoKircheKircheKirche

nnoooSt. BSt. Benn Benn

Rat-Rat-Rat-shhhaushaus

chof-f-BiBisischischnene undundsssitz usitz u HHGalerialerGaGa mm

BahnhofBahnhnhonho

Oberlausitz-Kliniken

Bischofswerda

Stadion

Kampf-bahn

WesnitzsportWesnitzspoWesWe portspor -parkp

D

E

F

10

11

14

13

12

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ca. 2 km

ca. 2 km

Justafewstepsfromthepark is the mill-pond, an idyllicspot at the edge of town. The ice-creamparlorlocatednearby,withitssun terrace and a range of culinarydelights, offers a view of a granitewaterfeature.

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Schiller Parkoffersaplaceto relaxinthemiddleofthecity,alongwith a jungle playground ope-ned in 2010.Nearby is thehouseonFärbergasse3,whichservedasapoor-houseintheeighteenthandnineteenthcenturies. During the world econo-miccrisis, thebuildingofferedcheapapartmentsandwarmingrooms.

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Not far from the Old Potte- ry Works is the fountain sculpture “Children Playing” byartist Harry Schulze. The work wasinstalled onSeptember 27, 1969 forthe20-yearanniversaryoftheGDR’sfounding.The fountainwas restoredin2004.

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Close to Brauhausgasse, two brickwalls serve as a remin-der of one of themanyold potteryworkscharacteristicofourcity’spastand its tradition of handicrafts.Thiswell-kept monument is a pleasantsightinthemidstofthecity.

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City Walking Tour

Thebust of Friedrich August the Just was returned to theOldTownSquareonthe780thanni-versary of the city in the year 2007,where itnowstands innewradianceand splendor. Close by is the horsetrough,likewiserestoredin2007.

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TheMedia Tower, erected in 2007byartistUweHempel,islocatedinthemiddleoftheOldTownSquare.ItstandsonthesiteoftheOldTownHall,whichexisteduntil1763.Itsheightof12.27meterssymbolizesthefirsthistoricalmentionofthecityofBischofswerdaintheyear1227.

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Located on the highest point in the city center is Christ Church (Christuskirche). Its found-ationwalls from the twelfth centuryarestillintact.OneofthemostrecentmonumentsinBischofswerda,“Awa-kening 1989” (Aufbruch 1989), canbe seenonKirchplatznext toChristChurch.

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The partially restored postal mile marker from the year1724 is located on Bahnhofsstrasse.ThelettersAandRandthecoatofarmsrefer to FriedrichAugust the Strong,Elector of Saxony (1694-1733) andKing of Poland (1697-1733). Otherremnantsof theoriginalmilepost areexhibitedintheTownHall.

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Sights and Side Trips

ArtistCarl Lohse, one of the leadingrepresentativesofGer-man Expressionism after the FirstWorldWar, lived andworked in Bi-schofswerdafrom1929untilhisdeathin1965.Thegalleryofthesamenameoffers regular exhibits and chamber-musicconcerts.

A

Justafewminutesfromdown- town is the open-air swim-ming pool(Freibad)ofBischofswer-da.Withitsattractive“waterworld”facilities and expansive sunbathinglawns,it’stheperfectplaceforyoungand old to spend some time in thesummer.

B

TheBischofswerda Zoo(Tier- park), a jewel in the heart ofthe city,welcomes young and old toananimaladventure.Around300ani-malsof60specieslivehereinnature-likeenclosures.Thebears,inparticu-lar, housed in a one-hectare facility,luretensofthousandsofvisitorseachyear.

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TheGoethe Gymnasium,built in 1912 in an impressive “re-form style” architecture and functio-ning as a prep school ever since itsopening, is celebrating its 100-yearanniversary in2012.In thecourseofmodernization in 1989, the auditori-umanditsorganwererestoredtotheiroriginalstate.

D

The new South Market on Belmsdorf Hill (Südmarkt amBelmsdorferBerg),completedin2010,is located in the Südvorstadt neigh-borhoodofBischofswerda.TheSouthMarket offers young and old a chan-cetokickbackandrelax.Thissquareboasts newly planted trees, park ben-ches,andabrand-newplayground.

H

Formoreactiveguestsandvisi- tors to our city, a hike up toBerg-Gasthof “Butterberg” restau-rantisjustthething.A50-minutewalkto the summit of the mountain willrewardyouwith awide rangeof cu-linary delights aswell as an excitingarray of family-friendly recreationalactivities.

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The House of Culture (Kul turhaus),oncereferredtoasthe“marksmen’sclubhouse“,todayservesasameetingplaceforyoungandold,aswellasforeventssuchasconcerts,theater anddances.A stone sculptureby Vinzenz Wanitschke has adornedthesquareoutfrontsince1975.

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EveryyeartheKarl-May-Spie- le takeplaceontheWaldbüh-ne Bischofswerda.About7,000spec-tatorsvisitthe12to16performancesat the open-air theatre annually. TheadventuresofWinnetouandOldShat-terhandattheWaldbühneinBischofs-werdaaremostlyperformedbychild-renandyoungpeople.

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Tourist Information & Citizens’ Office of Bischofswerda

Our services to you: • general information about the city and tourist info• information about overnight accommodations, events, culture and recreation• advice and assistance in planning excursions • consulting and coordinating services • ticket sales for events • sending informational brochures by mail • listening to your comments, suggestions and complaints• distribution of forms • passport, ID and registration office • sale of books, hiking maps and more• lost and found • application drop-off point for other municipal offices and authorities• business registration, deregistration and reregistration Contact: Citizens‘ Office Bischofswerda Altmarkt 1 • D-01877 Bischofswerda/Germany Tel.: 03594 786-140 • Fax: 03594 786-149 E-mail: buergerbuero@bischofswerda.de

Opening hours: Mon/Tues/Thurs: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Wed/Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Sun: closed

Telekom info-terminal Outside our opening hours we ask our visitors and guests to use the Telekom info-terminal (right next to the Town Hall, in front of the Evabrunnen Hotel).

Publisher: City council Bischofswerda • Altmarkt 1D-01877 Bischofswerda/Germany • Tel.: 03594 786-150Fax: 03594 786-159 • e-mail: marketing@bischofswerda.de www.bischofswerda.de

Information and Contact