Two special themes come together in Ostritz: St. Marienthal Abbey, where Cistercian life is still lived, and cycling routes that begin at the abbey or stop there along the way. The abbey has guest rooms for overnight stays; culture, the garden and cycling routes are the focus of day-trip planning.

Experience St. Marienthal Abbey

The Baroque abbey complex comprises the abbey, abbey church, provost’s residence and chapel. There are two different ways to explore its history: the information room offers a 30-minute presentation about the history and buildings of the abbey, its sisters and the Cistercian order. It is available in German or English. An audio guide also covers the abbey’s history, while turning the spotlight on the sisters’ lives today and the International Meeting Centre they founded. Check the presentation languages and visitor arrangements before your visit.

If you would like to stay overnight in Ostritz, you can include the guest rooms at St. Marienthal in your search. They are available to individual travellers, families and groups; larger groups are accommodated in cooperation with the International Meeting Centre. As availability may change, it is advisable to enquire in advance.

The Biblical Plants Garden brings together more than 40 biblical plant species in a themed garden covering 1,030 square metres. Stationsberg, also known as Kalvarienberg, offers a different focus: its fully preserved outdoor Stations of the Cross comprise 14 images. The abbey grounds thus put both plants and religious history in the spotlight.

Abbey market, cuisine and vineyard

The abbey market in the abbey courtyard sells devotional items, crafts, books, souvenirs and baked goods. The range of products and opening hours may change; if a visit is important to your plans, check the latest information. The Klosterschänke serves Upper Lusatian cuisine and traditional abbey dishes, along with regional baked goods and seasonal herbs, fruit and vegetables. The menu and seasonal ingredients may vary.

The abbey complex also includes a bakery. The abbey owns Germany’s easternmost vineyard, which visitors can climb to enjoy views across Upper Lusatia. These attractions add culinary and scenic elements to a visit without detracting from the abbey complex’s focus on its buildings and Cistercian life.

Cycling from St. Marienthal

St. Marienthal is a stop on the Oder-Neiße Cycle Route, and bicycles are available for hire locally for regional rides. Check bicycle availability before your trip. The Via Sacra and the Zittau Way of St. James also pass through St. Marienthal. This brings cycling and pilgrimage routes together at the abbey, where its history can be explored in the information room, through the audio guide and at its religious sites.

One specific circular route is the 37-kilometre Klosterwald-Neiße Tour. It starts at St. Marienthal in Ostritz and passes through the historic town centre and the local history museum, housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings. The route also includes a detour to St. Nicholas Church in Leuba, which was rebuilt in 1856. If you plan to ride the loop, check the route conditions and signposting in advance.

Görlitz as a cultural destination in its own right

Within the wider travel destination, Görlitz offers its own urban cultural focus. The historic old town has around 4,000 listed buildings; Untermarkt is considered the city’s historic heart and is surrounded by burgher houses from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Schönhof is also part of this heritage: after a city fire, it was rebuilt from 1526 in the Renaissance style. Today, it is the main building of the Silesian Museum in Görlitz.

The RB65 train connects the cities, running from Görlitz via Görlitz/Weinhübel and Hagenwerder to Ostritz and Zittau. Check the timetable if you want to plan your trip around it. This lets you choose where to stay based on your interests: St. Marienthal and the Klosterwald-Neiße Tour offer abbey and cycling experiences in Ostritz, while Görlitz has its own focus on the old town and Renaissance architecture.

Discover more destinations: Görlitz, Schönau-Berzdorf Auf Dem Eigen, Hähnichen, Großschweidnitz, Bernstadt Auf Dem Eigen, Dürrhennersdorf, Weißkeißel, Ebersbach-Neugersdorf.

Back to the main travel overview: Görlitz.