Bernstadt a.d. Eigen: Market, Church Architecture and Steinbachtal

Bernstadt a.d. Eigen offers a variety of reasons to visit: local history at the market, church architecture and crafts, as well as opportunities for walks and swimming. You can choose your focus depending on whether you are looking for historical details, a humorous local tale or time outdoors. Destinations in the surrounding districts and excursions to the Lusatian Mountains and the Zittau Mountains also add to the options. Each theme offers a different perspective and can be arranged according to your interests.

Market, Earth Axis and Local History Museum

The route to the Local History Museum passes through Bernstadt’s market square, past the Earth Axis and towards the church. Parking is available right by the museum and in the market square. The market square and the Earth Axis Fountain are part of a townscape characteristic of early German settlement. The fountain itself is considered a joke fountain and is associated with a humorous local tale. This adds a light-hearted fountain legend to the historical context of the townscape. At Bernstadt’s summer festivals, the Volunteer Fire Brigade humorously stages the symbolic greasing of the Earth Axis. As the festival program may change, check the latest dates if you are planning a trip for this event.

Church Architecture and Craft Traditions

St. Mary’s Church in Bernstadt has Romanesque roots dating back to the early 13th century. The town church is single-naved and 35 meters long; its rectangular choir contains a star vault from the 15th century. This juxtaposes early Romanesque origins with a later choir vault whose date is clearly established. The building details offer two different perspectives: the length describes the church’s overall dimensions, while the vault is a feature of the rectangular choir. The black dye works, inaugurated in 1370, is considered one of the oldest in Saxony. Bernstadt’s historical craft traditions also include sweet gingerbread, associated with gingerbread makers. The dye works and gingerbread tradition represent two different crafts.

Walk and Forest Bathing Area

Steinbachtal offers an opportunity for a walk in Bernstadt; the forest bathing area can be reached on foot via Steinbachtal. The bathing area has a large swimming pool and a shallow pool for younger children. A walk and a visit to the bathing area are therefore different ways to spend time outdoors. Details of the facility may change during future renovations. If you are planning a visit, check the latest information about the forest bathing area.

Scenic Destinations in the Surrounding Districts

Knorrberg in Dittersbach is a destination to visit. Wacheberg in Kemnitz is a landscape feature visible from a distance. In Altbernsdorf, historic stone arch bridges span the Pließnitz. These sights offer different points of interest: a named destination, a prominent landscape feature and historic structures by the river. Bernstadt’s location also makes excursions to the Lusatian Mountains and the Zittau Mountains possible. These excursions add a regional focus to the individual local destinations.

Discover more travel destinations: Kottmar, Niesky, Grossschönau, Großhennersdorf, Dürrhennersdorf, Rietschen, Großschweidnitz, Weißwasser/Oberlausitz

Return to the main travel overview: Görlitz.