Discover Eibau: Baroque Architecture and Festivals

Eibau combines a village landscape shaped by rural Baroque architecture with long-standing festivals and a range of ways to explore the surrounding area. The Baroque village church, historic merchant houses and the Schwarzbierweg trail add a cultural dimension, while annual events and walking and cycling activities offer other perspectives. This raises a practical question when planning your trip: would you like to discover Eibau primarily through its architectural history, a festival date or outdoor activities?

Baroque Architecture and Eibau’s History

Eibau’s Baroque village church was consecrated in 1707, after four years of construction. Its tower was completed in 1710. The church and tower therefore have two different recorded dates, marking the timeline of their construction.

The restored Faktorenhof in Eibau is a valuable architectural monument of rural Baroque and is considered one of the most valuable rural cultural monuments in Upper Lusatia. The Baroque three-sided farmstead, with its manor house, barn and stable, dates from 1717. The museum brings more than 660 years of Eibau’s history and the town’s distinctive features to life.

Timber-framed houses and merchant houses typical of the region, with many elements of rural Baroque architecture, shape Eibau’s townscape. A historic merchant house and cultural monument dating from 1703 is Faktorei 312. Together with the Faktorenhof, it shows that the town’s architectural history encompasses several historic house types.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The International Chainsaw Carving Meeting is held annually over Ascension Day weekend on Eibau’s Beckenberg hill. From Thursday, Ascension Day, through Sunday, it features daily live carving demonstrations, a market with regional traders and craftspeople, and a varied supporting programme. The recurring festival thus brings together demonstrations and market events over several days.

Another event in the annual calendar is the Eibau Beer and Traditions Procession, held annually on the last Sunday in June since 1993. Horses pull festive wagons drawn by two, four and sometimes even six horses. The wagons depict historical scenes from Upper Lusatia’s history and the production of beer. If one of the festivals is the reason for your trip, check the dates for the relevant year’s edition.

Exploring the Trails and Surrounding Area

The Schwarzbierweg trail starts on Beckenberg hill in Eibau and runs through the town, passing notable timber-framed houses and merchant houses. It reaches the Baroque village church via Beckenbergstraße and Kirchstraße. Check the trail’s current condition before setting out.

The guided cycling tours offered by Faktorei 312 provide a different perspective: they travel through Upper Lusatia on routes that are almost entirely traffic-free. While the Schwarzbierweg runs through Eibau and reaches the church, the cycling tours cover the wider region. The two offerings therefore differ both in the areas they cover and in how they let you experience Eibau and Upper Lusatia.

By prior arrangement, Faktorei 312 also offers bread-baking sessions in a wood-fired oven, ideally for groups of four to eight people. Arranging a time in advance is part of planning this experience.

The 583-metre-high Kottmar lies in the area around Eibau and is known to Eibau’s residents as their local mountain. It offers a hiking area with well-marked trails and viewpoints in all four cardinal directions. This regional hiking area with its viewpoints offers a contrast to the local Schwarzbierweg trail, with its houses and village church.

When looking for accommodation, it helps to decide on the purpose of your trip first: does a festival set the dates, or are architectural history and activities your main priorities? If you’re travelling with family, your fellow travellers’ interests can help determine how you balance culture, festivals and outdoor activities.

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