St. Catherine’s Church is a distinctive cultural landmark in Naundorf: its Gothic ground plan, Baroque alterations and later furnishings can be distinguished. For travel planning, there is also a Döllnitzbahn stop in the town and the Jahnatal Cycle Route, which passes through Hof. The church brings together Naundorf’s architectural and art history; along the cycle route, the route itself and the Hof Castle and Park complex are separate points of interest.
St. Catherine’s Church: Several Building Phases
Between 1742 and 1744, St. Catherine’s Church was completely remodeled in the Baroque style. Its outer walls also form a typical Gothic ground plan, with a long nave and a hexagonal eastern end. Its architectural history thus encompasses a Gothic basic form and a later, extensive Baroque remodeling. Inside, the pulpit altar is the visual focal point. A stained-glass window in the southeastern altar area dates from the 1896 renovation and depicts the risen Christ.
The furnishings include the 1907 pneumatic Jehmlich organ. Former estate chapels are located on the north side of the church and are associated with the Naundorf, Leuben and Casabra estates. Some of these former chapel rooms are now used as archive rooms; valuable Baroque stoves have been preserved there. According to the parish, the church was renovated inside and out in accordance with heritage conservation standards after the 1993 Naundorf anniversary celebrations. Different historical periods thus meet in one place: the ground plan, remodeling, window, organ and use of the former chapel rooms.
The church also hosts concerts and lectures. If an event is important to your stay, check the dates in advance. This lets you plan to explore the building’s history and furnishings regardless of whether a specific cultural event falls during your travel dates.
Cycling and Culture Along the Jahnatal
The 27 km Jahnatal Cycle Route runs from Baderitz near Zschaitz to Riesa and passes through Hof. There, the Castle and Park complex includes a Renaissance castle, a Baroque castle and a park. The complex lies directly on the cycle route; the Hof local history association runs a local history museum in an outbuilding of the castle complex. This makes the route a chance to visit a specific cultural stop. At the same time, the route follows the Jahna through a floodplain landscape.
The Jahnatal Cycle Route is described as having no significant climbs and running mostly on dedicated cycle and footpaths. It is considered particularly suitable for families with children. White and green signposts bear the words “Jahnatalradweg.” The route, path layout and signs thus provide concrete points of reference when choosing a cycling tour.
Stops and Route Planning
A Döllnitzbahn stop is located in Naundorf, between Oschatz and Mügeln. The Döllnitzbahn runs for 20 km from Oschatz via Mügeln to Glossen and Kemmlitz. The 27 km refers to the cycle route, while the 20 km refers to the railway line—two different distances to bear in mind when planning. Check the Döllnitzbahn’s current timetable before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Krostitz, Belgern-Schildau, Wermsdorf, Elsnig, Taucha, Schkeuditz, Dahlen, Delitzsch.
See the main travel overview: Nordsachsen.
