Nobitz combines the aviation history of its airfield with distinctive churches, half-timbered buildings and routes for cycling and hiking. To plan your stay, you can first decide whether culture, a cycling route or nature should shape your visit. The different themes offer specific starting points without prescribing a fixed itinerary.
Aviation history at Flugwelt
The Flugwelt Altenburg-Nobitz Museum presents the history of the airfield and topics related to aviation through a wide range of exhibits. The collection includes, among other things, a MiG-21 SPS and a Breguet BR1150 “Atlantic”. An ex-naval aircraft is also accessible to visitors on the outdoor grounds; check the current access arrangements before your visit.
From April to October, the museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. As seasonal opening hours may change, it is advisable to check the latest visiting hours before setting out. This makes it easier to fit a museum visit into your plans, rather than checking the opening hours only once you arrive.
Churches, half-timbering and distinctive details
The churches in the municipality of Nobitz also stand out for their individually distinctive interiors, histories and features. The church in Mockern houses a carved Madonna. Zürchau church has tracery windows dating from the time it was built; in Maltis, a round-arched portal and a radiant door catch the eye. These examples highlight different features, from figurative carving to architectural forms.
In Saara, the church tower clock bears the words “Make use of time” on its face instead of numerals. Numerous striking half-timbered buildings shape the appearance of Nobitz and its districts. The district of Gieba is also home to a restored farmhouse considered the oldest farmhouse in the Altenburg region. These features give the cultural theme a local focus that extends beyond the aviation exhibition.
Cycling routes, sculpture trail and nature oasis
The Pleiße Cycle Route runs through Nobitz, where it crosses the “Altenburg–Colditz” cycling tour. The sculpture trail offers a different kind of route: it follows the Sprotte through the municipality as far as the Selleris weir. Those interested in pilgrimage routes can also follow the Way of St. James, which runs through the municipality of Nobitz via Borna and Altenburg, continuing to Zwickau. The routes differ in their focus and course. Check current trail conditions before setting off on a cycling trip; for the Way of St. James, it is advisable to check the route markings before you leave.
In Saara, the nature oasis adds themes from nature and local history to the trails. Three large information boards cover the mill, the park’s avenue trees, the birdhouse, nesting boxes and hedges. Five smaller educational boards focus on a millstone, a baking recipe, two riddles and a solitary tree. The nature oasis also includes a walk-in wooden mill with seating for children. The different boards and the mill each offer their own focus rather than covering just one subject area.
The Märchensee is located in the Leinawald forest. Nearby, the walkable dam at the Schömbach reservoir invites visitors to take a stroll; the reservoir lies directly beside the Leinawald forest. As exact access conditions may change, check them before your visit.
More culture in the Altenburg region
The wider Altenburg region offers additional cultural attractions. The Rote Spitzen are the surviving Romanesque towers of a former Augustinian canon monastery and are recognized as a cultural monument of national importance. Altenburg Residence Castle stands on a porphyry rock and houses the castle museum and playing card museum. The playing card museum is one of the oldest and most extensive museums of its kind in Europe. These regional examples complement Nobitz’s local attractions with another perspective on architectural and museum history in the Altenburg region.
Discover more destinations: Nischwitz, Meuselwitz, Posterstein, Gößnitz, Altenburg, Göllnitz, Vollmershain, Saara.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Altenburg region.
