Discover Bischofswerda

Discover Bischofswerda through its medieval town center, Neoclassical and Art Deco buildings, art and animal experiences. There is also the nature experience trail on the Butterberg and themed routes that explore the town’s history and regional landscapes. Whether you’re interested in architecture, exhibitions, outdoor activities or encounters with animals, the different highlights give your trip a distinctive focus.

Altmarkt, town hall and guided tours

Bischofswerda’s historic town center includes the Altmarkt square with its townhouses, the Paradise Fountain and the Neoclassical town hall dating from 1818. If you’d like to learn about the town’s history on foot, you can join public guided tours. Topics range from the historic old town and the Green Belt to industrial heritage and the “Schiebock” tradition. The meeting point is the town hall on the Altmarkt; tours last about 60 minutes. This lets you choose a specific theme for your walk through town instead of just looking at individual buildings.

Two churches, different architectural styles

The Christuskirche stands at the highest point in Bischofswerda’s town center and was built in the Neoclassical style between 1816 and 1818. Concerts are held there throughout the year alongside church services; specific concert dates may vary, so check before your visit. The St. Benno Church, built in 1925 in the Art Deco style, offers a different architectural accent. The church and rectory form an Art Deco ensemble that was largely restored in 2008. The side entrance to the church is open during the day. If you’re planning a visit, it’s best to check in advance whether this entrance will be accessible at that time.

Art and industrial heritage

The Carl Lohse Gallery is a municipal gallery in the historic episcopal residence. Its permanent exhibition is devoted to the life and work of Expressionist painter Carl Lohse, alongside changing exhibitions by regional artists. The Bischofswerda Industrial Heritage Route offers a different perspective on the town’s history. It covers the former F. G. Hermann & Son cloth factory, the history of glassmaking, textile production and more recent industrial history. The gallery and route offer different ways to explore: one focuses on an individual artist and changing art exhibitions, the other on industrial development.

Animal experiences and trails on the Butterberg

At Bischofswerda’s Animal and Cultural Park, the focus is on bears and their habitats, endangered native species and encounters with domestic animals. In the petting area, visitors can interact respectfully with old regional breeds of particular local importance. The Butterberg Nature Experience Trail offers something different: it is just under four kilometers long and has ten sports and adventure stations. These include nature-learning activities and opportunities for children to balance and play. In 2023, the trail was recognized as Saxony’s first certified family hiking trail. Its length and stations can help you estimate how much time to set aside for an outing.

Cycling, hiking and events

Bischofswerda is connected to the Westlausitz region by four themed cycling routes. A cycling and hiking center at the Animal and Cultural Park rents out bicycles, e-bikes, Nordic walking poles and GPS devices. The Westlausitz Nature Experience Route also features a local highlight: the Butterberg and its observation tower in Bischofswerda. Visitors on this route can reach Bischofswerda by bus and train; check current connections before travelling. You can plan your trip around both regional routes and activities to suit different ways of getting active.

A cultural event can add another dimension to your stay: the Karl May performances have been staged with the youngest performers at the Bischofswerda Forest Stage since 1993. As individual programs may change, it’s worth checking the dates for your planned visit. Together with concerts at the Christuskirche, they offer a range of cultural events alongside architecture, the gallery and industrial heritage.

When looking for accommodation, you can start by considering which aspects of Bischofswerda you’d most like to focus on during your stay: the historic town, art and industrial history, animal experiences, activities on the Butterberg or an event. This lets you tailor your search to the experiences you actually plan to enjoy.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rammenau, Sohland an der Spree, Löbau, Doberschau-Gaußig, Kamenz, Weißenberg, Spreetal, Pulsnitz.

Back to the main travel guide: Bautzen District.