Oberlausitz: Sensory rapture Upper Lusatia

Sensory intoxication in Bautzen
Bautzen old town by night © Peter Wilhelm

1000 years of city history

Abbildung Nicolaikirchruine with Spree from Hammermuehle — Nicolaikirchruine with Spree from Hammermuehle

Cultural treasures & Natural oases in Bautzen

The historic city on the River Spree is not only known for its medieval silhouette with its many towers, but also for its rich cultural treasures. Experience the unique flair. Enjoy culture and nature in one.
Welcome to Bautzen - or in Sorbian: Witajće k nam!

Sensory rapture Upper Lusatia

Get to know and experience a region with all your senses

Smell, hear, see, feel and taste - you can discover Upper Lusatia with all your senses! Listen to the rustling of the leaves as the trees move in the wind. Marvel at the beauty and perfection of unique castles, parks and gardens. Escape the stress of the big cities on a walk and contemplate the colorful nature.
Feel the spirit of history during a castle tour, stroll through the parks and gardens and enjoy the last warm rays of sunshine in the golden fall. Take a deep breath and consciously perceive the vibrancy of this unique idyll - a true sensory intoxication awaits you.

Learn more

Abbildung Autumn in Bautzen — Autumn in Bautzen

Bautzen history trail

The Bautzen history trail takes you on a journey through the history of the town, which is over 1,000 years old. Along picturesque alleyways and imposing medieval fortifications, you can take a journey back in time at 57 stations. At the individual stations, information boards at the buildings and squares provide important historical background information.
We also recommend a hike up the Protschenberg. Enjoy the fabulous view of Ortenburg Castle and the picturesque course of the Spree.
The peaceful banks of the Spree are also perfect for a stroll. Listen to the lapping of the water and switch off. Small resting places invite you to linger and relax.

Thanks to its central location in Upper Lusatia, Bautzen is also perfect for excursions to the castles and gardens as well as other historic towns in the region!

Find out more

Old waterworks

It is the landmark of Bautzen: the Alte Wasserkunst. While it used to supply the town with drinking water, today it serves as an outstanding technical monument that can be visited. With its imposing appearance and the 47-metre-high viewing platform it impresses visitors from near and far.

Sorbian Museum

Experience the unique interplay of two cultures by learning more about the history and life of the Slavic minority, which has been at home here for over a thousand years. Traditional costumes, Sorbian customs and modern art are presented in an exciting way.

Abbildung Sorbian National Ensemble — Sorbian National Ensemble

German-Sorbian Folk Theater and Sorbian National Ensemble

Experience Sorbian culture up close! The German-Sorbian Folk Theater is unique in Germany and can be considered a European cultural asset: A theater with two sections and three languages: German, Upper Sorbian and Lower Sorbian. The Sorbian National Ensemble offers ballet, choir and orchestra.

Abbildung Rietschel gable — Rietschel gable

Rietschel gable figures

Since 2003, the façade of the Burgtheater in the Ortenburg courtyard has presented the group of figures of the "Allegory of Tragedy", which originally adorned the north gable of the Dresden court theater built by Gottfried Semper in 1841. After it burned down in 1869, the group of figures was moved to the Bautzen Municipal Theatre in 1905 until it was demolished in 1969. The group of figures depicts the most important scenes from the 2nd and 3rd parts of the "Oresteia" trilogy completed by Aeschylus (525-456 BC) in 458 BC, consisting of the tragedies "Agamemnon", "Choephoroi" and "Eumenides".

You can find more cultural treasures here: Bautzen - Highlights