Horka: Fortified Church, Nature and Cycling Routes

Horka combines a distinctive historic building with specific nature and activity options. The defensive wall around the church, the Horka–Biehain waterway educational trail, the Neißelandtour and the activities at Waldsee Biehain represent different sides of the area. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you are especially interested in church architecture and history, designated trails, cycling or waterside leisure activities.

Defensive Wall and Church

The defensive wall encloses Horka’s church. It measures 50 metres in diameter and 7.5 metres in height and is a landmark of Horka. The fortification is estimated to be about 800 to 900 years old.

Inside the church are centuries-old wall paintings; the altar dates from 1667. This brings together historic elements with different kinds of dating in one place: the age of the fortification is an estimate, while the altar has a specific year. The wall paintings add to the picture of the historic interior.

Traditionally, a concert at Horka Fortified Church is part of the Görlitz Jazz Days. If you would like to include this event in your plans, check the current event dates.

Wetlands and Waldsee Biehain

Part of the municipality of Horka lies within the “Ponds and Wetlands Northeast of Kodersdorf” FFH area, which was designated in 2011. Another FFH area near Biehain covers around 193 hectares. Its western section lies along the Biehain–Mückenhain road by Waldsee in Biehain and includes ponds west of Biehain.

At Waldsee Biehain, there are pedal and rowing boat rentals, volleyball, table tennis, a children’s playground and food and drink facilities. If you are planning to use specific facilities, check their current availability before your visit.

Educational Trail and Cycling Loop

The Horka–Biehain waterway educational trail is a 12.6-kilometre educational and experience trail in the Upper Lusatia tourism region. At 143.42 kilometres, the Neißelandtour is much longer and forms a cycling loop. It follows the Frog Cycle Route to Horka and continues to Rothenburg/O.L. For the most part, it runs along existing, signposted routes, including the Oder–Neisse Cycle Route, the Frog Cycle Route and regional routes.

The two options differ in both purpose and distance: one is a 12.6-kilometre trail with an educational and experiential focus, while the other is a much longer cycling loop. Check the current route and conditions before setting out.

Horse Riding in Horka

The “Wehrkirch” Horka Riding and Driving Club offers riding lessons for younger and older learners. For members, activities include dressage, show jumping, carriage driving and cross-country riding. These are two distinct areas: riding lessons for different age groups, and the disciplines listed as member activities. If you are planning lessons or a club activity, confirm the current participation and organisational arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Beiersdorf, Jonsdorf, Oderwitz, Königshain, Großschweidnitz, Mücka, Quitzdorf am See, Boxberg/Oberlausitz.

Return to the main travel overview: Görlitz.