Bautzen, Medieval town in Saxony, Germany
Description
Bautzen is a town built on a granite ridge along the Spree River in eastern Saxony. Towers with slate roofs and remnants of stone walls mark the edges of the old quarter, where paved lanes with steps and arches wind through the streets.
History
The settlement was first mentioned in writing in 1002 and changed hands several times over the centuries between Bohemian, Hungarian, and Saxon rule. In the late Middle Ages, it joined the Six Cities League, a regional defense alliance against robber barons and for trade.
Culture
Street signs and public notices appear in both German and Sorbian, the language of the West Slavic minority living in this area. Many shops and cafés carry bilingual labels, and you can occasionally hear both languages side by side in the market square.
Practical
The main square houses the visitor information office, which provides details about sights and walking routes on weekdays. The old town lanes are steep and uneven, so sturdy footwear is helpful.
Did you know?
Saint Peter's Cathedral has been shared by Catholic and Protestant congregations since the 16th century, with each maintaining its own altar area inside the building. A low partition divides the nave into two separate worship zones.
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Dinosaur Park Kleinwelka
4 km
Cathedral of St Peter, Bautzen
113 m
Ortenburg
309 m
Gedenkstätte Bautzen
955 m
Bautzen Reservoir
4.2 kmKolonie Kleinwelka
4 km
Reichenturm
242 m
Alte Wasserkunst
240 m
Bautzen railway station
1 km
Friedensbrücke
301 m
Michaeliskirche
206 m
Sorbian Institute
750 m
Nikolaikirche
319 m
Bautzener Autobahnring
2.9 km
Domstift Bautzen
178 m
Maria- und Martha-Kirche
816 m
Serbski dom
509 m
Hexenhäusel
188 m
Schiller-Gymnasium
559 m
Mönchskirche
166 m
Taucherkirche
891 m
Liebfrauenkirche
358 m
Rathaus Bautzen
24 m
Burgtheater Bautzen
349 m
Lauenturm
135 m
Neue Wasserkunst
450 m
Rieseneiche von Niedergurig
6 km
City Museum Bautzen
256 m
Bloaschütz
Bautzen-Nordostring
Bolbritz/Bolborcy
Burk
Temritz/Ćemjercy
Teichnitz
Döberkitz
Niederkaina
Oberuhna
Oberkaina/Hornja Kina
Löschau/Lešawa
Lubachau/Lubochow
Kleinwelka/Mały Wjelkow
Nadelwitz
Innenstadt
Stiebitz/Sćijecy
Salzenforst/Słona Boršć
Schmochtitz/Smochćicy
Bautzen-Gesundbrunnen
Ostvorstadt
Auritz/Wuricy
Südvorstadt (Bautzen)
Westvorstadt
Neumalsitz
Niederuhna/Delni Wunjow
Boblitz/Bobolcy
Oehna/Wownjow
Großwelka/Wulki Wjelkow
Kleinseidau/Zajdow
Basankwitz/Bozankecy
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