Churches, pilgrim routes and waterways give a trip to Vierkirchen several different focal points. West of Buchholz, a walk along the stream links three ponds; the pilgrim route, by contrast, offers sections with specific distances in kilometres. The area also has a hilly, partly forested landscape criss-crossed by several waterways. Arnsdorf lies on the western edge of the Königshainer Berge.
Churches and Architectural History
The church in Arnsdorf is a late Romanesque hall church founded in 1251. Its furnishings include a painted wooden ceiling from the 16th century, a crucifix from the 15th century and a Heinze organ from the 19th century. This single building brings together different centuries of church architecture and furnishings. The stump of a Dutch windmill also remains east of the church.
Arnsdorf’s castle history is also still present: a castle was built there in 1856. The former castle garden house is a two-storey Baroque building with a mansard roof and was restored in 2001. The Arnsdorf rectory adds to this architectural heritage as a listed, roughly 200-year-old three-sided farmstead. It is used for pilgrim accommodation and community gatherings.
In Melaune, the present-day church dates back to a major renovation in 1845. Behind the altar is the epitaph for Carl Gottlob von Nostitz, dating from 1698. The former rectory houses a pilgrim hostel; the youth barn offers leisure activities for children and young people. If you plan to use these facilities, check current access arrangements in advance.
Landscape, Trails and Pilgrimage
In Buchholz, a castle park with mature deciduous trees and the walk west of the village offer different impressions: the park affords views of old trees, while the path along the stream links three ponds. The places and landscapes can also be explored via paved roads, cycle paths, footpaths and the Way of St James pilgrim route. Options range from taking in individual landscape features to walking longer distances.
The Ecumenical Pilgrim Way from Görlitz to Vacha passes through the church parishes of Arnsdorf, Melaune and Buchholz. These parishes offer pilgrim hostels all year round. The route is described as 18.5 kilometres to Arnsdorf, another 4.5 kilometres to Melaune and a further 4.5 kilometres to the overnight stop in the rebuilt Old School. These distances help you estimate the length of each stage; check the current route and signage before setting out.
The Old School is another destination for pilgrims and is included in the accommodation planning described above. The hostels in the three church parishes offer a separate option for longer stays. The churches in Arnsdorf, Buchholz, Melaune, Tetta, Nieder Seifersdorf, Diehsa and Jänkendorf are usually open from Easter until the Sunday before Advent, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. As these visiting hours are seasonal, it is advisable to check locally before travelling.
More Local Discoveries
Film screenings and other events are held at the Landkino in Arnsdorf, which is housed in a former barn. The programme may change, so check current dates if a visit is important to your trip. Another example of a former use continuing today can be found downstream from Döbschütz: a former watermill there still operates as a grist mill.
To plan your trip, you can first decide whether church architecture, pilgrim stages or trails through the landscape will shape your stay. The specific distances on the pilgrim route and the churches’ seasonal opening hours provide different points of reference from the walk near Buchholz or the Landkino’s event dates. This lets you plan your stay around the places and experiences you actually intend to visit, without combining the different locations and attractions into a single walking tour.
Discover more destinations: Schöpstal, Schleife, Bad Muskau, Kodersdorf, Neusalza-Spremberg, Waldhufen, Schönau-Berzdorf Auf Dem Eigen, Oppach
Return to the main travel overview: Görlitz.
