Görlitz owes the wealth and extraordinary splendor still visible today to its location on the historic Via Regia. This European trade route once linked trading regions between Thuringia and Saxony in the west and Silesia, Bohemia, and Poland in the east. This history can be read in the city’s unusually dense historic ensemble: the Old Town encompasses around 4,000 historic buildings and is one of the best-preserved historic ensembles in Central Europe.
Renaissance and City History in the Center
At Untermarkt, Görlitz’s historic heart, magnificent burgher houses from the Renaissance and Baroque periods stand side by side. The Schönhof adds a specific building history to this setting: after a city fire, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style from 1526 onward. Today, it is the main building of the Silesian Museum in Görlitz and is one of the oldest Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. Looking at its architecture, visitors encounter both the history of a single house and a defining chapter in Görlitz’s cityscape.
The Holy Sepulchre offers a special connection between architecture and religious history. It is a unique replica of the holy sites of Jerusalem and the oldest surviving structure of its kind north of the Alps. Built between 1481 and 1504, the ensemble comprises the Chapel of the Sepulchre, the Chapel of the Anointing, and the Chapel of Adam. St. Peter’s Church also draws attention to architectural craftsmanship: it is Saxony’s largest hall church and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its Sun Organ was built by Eugenio Casparini toward the end of the 17th century and can imitate birdsong.
Towers, Exhibitions, and Urban Greenery
Görlitz’s towers offer different perspectives on the city’s history. The Nikolai Tower is the oldest surviving city tower and houses a small exhibition on the history of Görlitz. A museum in the Reichenbach Tower explores the history of the city and its towers; it also has an observation platform. One tower leads to a small exhibition on local history, while the other also offers a view from above.
After the densely built streets, the city park offers a different impression of the city. It was laid out in the 19th century and is located in the heart of the city. Expansive lawns, mature trees, and romantic walking paths shape the park. The transition between burgher houses, churches, and the park’s greenery reveals two sides of Görlitz: its historic ensemble and an urban landscape with room for a stroll.
Lively Culture and Special Insights
At the Vivarium of the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, around 70 animal species are presented in twelve elaborately designed landscape enclosures covering 100 m². A specific time to visit the museum is during the live-animal feeding demonstration: it takes place on the first Thursday of every month at 4 p.m., and admission is included with the museum ticket. Check the current museum calendar before your visit.
The “Walk of Görliwood®” lets you explore Görlitz independently, moving from one filming location to another. The free SmartGuide app guides you around the entire city; check whether the app is available before your trip. ViaThea, the street arts festival, is also a regular highlight of Görlitz’s cultural calendar. For specific planning, check the current festival dates and program. The Landskron Brewery offers tours of the historic brewery followed by a tasting. Find out in advance about current availability and booking options.
The Neisse, Routes, and Connections
You can also explore Görlitz via its routes and the Neisse. The Oder-Neisse Cycle Route runs south from Görlitz to Lake Berzdorf; check current route conditions before setting out on a bike ride. In the summer months, visitors can explore the Neisse Valley from the water on boat and paddling tours and experience Görlitz from a new perspective. You can also enjoy the natural landscape along the river. For this seasonal activity, it is advisable to check current options before your trip.
The Old Town Bridge is a pedestrian bridge over the Neisse. Since 2004, it has once again connected Görlitz with its Polish sister city of Zgorzelec, allowing visitors to cross the border on foot. For rail travelers, the RB65 runs from Görlitz via Görlitz/Weinhübel and Hagenwerder, continuing to Ostritz and Zittau. Line E runs from Görlitz-Weinhübel via Deutsch Ossig, Hagenwerder Bahnhof, Hagenwerder Ort, Sportzentrum, and Tauchritz/West to the Blue Lagoon. If you plan to use either of these connections, check the timetable and route in advance.
Discover more destinations: Zittau, Beiersdorf, Königshain, Bad Muskau, Ebersbach-Neugersdorf, Grossschönau, Jonsdorf, Görlitz, Reichenbach/Oberlausitz, Olbersdorf, Großhennersdorf, Bertsdorf-Hörnitz, Neißeaue, Hainewalde, Leutersdorf, Rothenburg/Oberlausitz, Ostritz, Schönbach, Weißwasser/Oberlausitz, Oybin, Horka, Quitzdorf am See, Krauschwitz, Neusalza-Spremberg, Oppach, Hähnichen, Boxberg/Oberlausitz, Niesky, Herrnhut, Mittelherwigsdorf, Markersdorf, Trebendorf, Gablenz, Kottmar, Seifhennersdorf, Oderwitz, Vierkirchen, Weißkeißel, Waldhufen, Schöpstal, Schönau-Berzdorf Auf Dem Eigen, Schleife, Rosenbach, Rietschen, Mücka, Lawalde, Kreba-Neudorf, Kodersdorf, Hohendubrau, Großschweidnitz, Groß Düben, Dürrhennersdorf, Bernstadt Auf Dem Eigen.
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