Olbersdorf: Lake, Narrow-Gauge Railway and Craftsmanship

Olbersdorf combines a landscape shaped by lignite mining with railway history, craftsmanship and art. The town is part of the Zittau Mountains Nature Park, which, together with the Lusatian Mountains and the Ještěd Ridge, forms a shared landscape and tourism region. There are several highlights to consider when planning your trip: Lake Olbersdorf, historical traces and railway excursions in the surrounding area.

Lake and Landscape

Lake Olbersdorf is part of a landscape created by a former lignite mine. The lake has a beach and an adjacent campsite; both were established after the 1999 State Garden Show. A shorter, five-kilometre route around the lake is wheelchair accessible, giving you a practical way to experience the lake on a circular walk. Olbersdorf also hosts major sporting events such as the Zittau Mountains Run & Hiking Meet and the O-See Challenge. If you are travelling specifically for an event, check the latest dates in advance.

Craftsmanship, Technology and Art

Olbersdorf’s attractions include the Uhrenhof, the Hilger coconut-weaving workshop, the mill trail, the sculpture park and the steam railway educational trail. The Uhrenhof preserves clocks from factories that have closed. Its exhibition covers the complete production of electric clocks in the former GDR. At the Hilger coconut-weaving workshop, long-lasting products are made from coconut fibre, sisal and hemp—the focus is on materials and production.

Along the mill trail, information boards point out at least 18 documented former waterwheel sites along the Goldbach stream. The route therefore passes traces of earlier uses of the area. The sculpture park displays works in stone, wood and clay by artists from the surrounding area and neighbouring countries. Together, these attractions offer different ways to explore the area, from local craftsmanship and the history of technology to outdoor art.

Narrow-Gauge Railway and Educational Trail

The steam railway educational trail uses information boards and pictures to explain the history of the Zittau narrow-gauge railway. It runs from Zittau to the spa resorts of Jonsdorf and Oybin. The 750-millimetre narrow-gauge railway passes through Olbersdorf towards the Zittau Mountains. At Bertsdorf station, the line branches off towards Oybin and Jonsdorf; two steam locomotives may depart at the same time there.

When choosing accommodation, you can start by considering which of these aspects you want to shape your stay: the lakeside landscape, the attractions in town or the railway tradition. This helps you focus on your own travel interests without reducing the range of experiences to a single holiday theme.

Architecture in Görlitz

Görlitz also offers its own cultural highlights. Schönhof was rebuilt in the Renaissance style after a city fire, beginning in 1526. Today, it is the main building of the Silesian Museum in Görlitz and is considered one of the oldest Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. The historic old town contains around 4,000 listed buildings and is one of the best-preserved historic ensembles in Central Europe. This architectural history offers a different perspective from Olbersdorf’s themes of craftsmanship, landscape and railways.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kodersdorf, Kreba-Neudorf, Quitzdorf am See, Bernstadt Auf Dem Eigen, Reichenbach/Oberlausitz, Jonsdorf, Krauschwitz, Vierkirchen.

Back to the main travel overview: Görlitz.