Borna between churches, Lake Bockwitz and culture

Borna brings together impressive church history, a landscape shaped by changes brought about by open-cast mining, and a diverse cultural scene. St. Mary’s Town Church, the nature reserve around Lake Bockwitz and open-air events each offer something different. You can tailor your stay to whether you would rather explore historic buildings, nature, swimming or cultural events.

Churches and town history

Construction of St. Mary’s Town Church in Borna began in 1411; the late Gothic hall church was consecrated in 1456. Martin Luther is associated with the church: he wrote his famous Ash Wednesday letter there and preached in the church.

The Emmaus Church has a remarkable construction history. It was completed in 1258 and is considered one of Saxony’s oldest churches. In 2007, it was moved intact from Heuersdorf to Borna and erected at Martin-Luther-Platz.

St. Kunigunde’s Church is a Romanesque, three-aisled brick basilica dating from around 1170—with no tower or bells. Since 1999, its altar has held a late Gothic winged altar from Görnitz. Paintings of saints dating from the mid-15th century were also uncovered beneath the plaster.

The Museum of the City of Borna is located in the Reichstor gate and adjoining buildings. The Reichstor was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1723; the complex includes a mining hall and permanent exhibition spaces. Together with the churches, the museum offers a window onto various chapters of the town’s history.

Nature and change at Lake Bockwitz

Lake Bockwitz and its surroundings form one of Saxony’s largest nature reserves. After the open-cast mine closed, the former mining area was restored to nature, allowing unique habitats to develop. The changing landscape can be explored as a subject in its own right: mining was followed by restoration and the development of new habitats.

The Bockwitz educational trail focuses on grazing as one way to preserve open habitats for protected species. Its content may be updated by the responsible authorities. Those interested in the connection between landscape management and species conservation will find a practical introduction to the topic here.

Swimming, events and hands-on activities

Jahnbad Borna has a 25-metre sports pool, a non-swimmer pool and a children’s paddling pool designed like a ship. It also offers a sauna area, a Finnish sauna, an outdoor Kelo sauna and relaxation areas. Facilities and access conditions may change, so check before your visit.

Volksplatz is an open-air event venue in Borna hosting concerts, comedy, open-air cinema and family festivals. It offers around 5,000 seats and a permanent 28-by-18-metre cinema screen. As the programme may change and the facilities could be updated in future, check the events calendar for specific dates.

At Geschichtenhof Wyhra, interactive permanent exhibitions showcase rural life around 1900 in a typical regional farmstead. Families can bake in the bread oven and learn about traditional children’s games; activities may vary by season. To get there, take the S6 to Neukirchen-Wyhra, then bus 255 to the Wyhra (Wyhratal) Teich stop. Check the current timetable before travelling, as services may change.

Further afield: Leipzig District

In Leipzig District, the Leipzig Neuseenland lake region includes 22 new lakes with a total water surface area of 70 km². The Luther Trail in Saxony is also a pilgrimage and hiking route. In Leipzig District, it passes through Borna, Grimma, Trebsen, Wurzen, Neukieritzsch, Colditz and Gnandstein, among other places.

When looking for accommodation in Borna, use the aspects you want to focus on during your stay as a guide: churches and the museum offer a different experience from Lake Bockwitz, the swimming pool or the events calendar. Consider which of these you would like to include, and check the location of a specific offer against your own plans.

Discover more destinations: Großpösna, Trebsen/Mulde, Machern, Narsdorf, Kohren-Sahlis, Thallwitz, Grimma, Böhlen.

Back to the regional travel guide: Leipzig District.