Dürrhennersdorf: Bell History and Trails in Höllengrund

Church and manor house: local history

Discover Dürrhennersdorf through its local church and the surrounding landscape. The church is considered the heart of the village. The present building was constructed in 1874/75, using parts of the foundations and tower of its predecessor. The building is therefore directly connected to the older history of the church.

The first recorded mention of a bell dates from 1423. The history of the bells is depicted on a wall in the upper church tower; the church museum also covers the history of the bells and their function. The church is used for services, events, prayer and meditation. A simple visit is possible by prior arrangement, during open church hours or for services. Check the current visiting options in advance. Information leaflets are available in German, English, Polish and Czech; if a particular language is important, ask what is currently available. You can also view the clock mechanism at your own risk; check the access requirements before your visit.

The Saxon Breed Rabbit Museum opened in 2015 at the old Dürrhennersdorf manor house. Visits can be arranged by telephone appointment in advance; ask about current options when you call. Another story of a building’s transformation concerns Dürrhennersdorf manor: its former stable was converted into a community and club house with an exhibition and meeting room.

Hills, ponds and trails around Dürrhennersdorf

The landscape is characterised by gentle hills, open fields and forests. It also includes the Engeleiteiche ponds and the three local hills: Hutberg, Seidelberg and Kuhberg. The surrounding area is well suited to hikes, cycling, wildlife watching and picnics. A circular hiking trail runs through Höllengrund. The different landscape features offer concrete ideas for an outing: ponds, forest, ridges or a loop through Höllengrund.

One route in the Obercunnersdorf hiking series covers around 15 kilometres through Dürrhennersdorf. The Rund um den Großen Wald cycling route is 28 kilometres long and passes through Dürrhennersdorf and Friedersdorf. It forms a circular route that you can join at any point. This gives you two different distances to plan for active days: a hiking route of approximately 15 kilometres and a 28-kilometre cycling loop. Check the route details before setting off.

A regional hiking route also passes through the village: after entering Dürrhennersdorf, it includes a stop at the Schützenhaus restaurant. Check in advance whether food and drink are available.

A distinct cultural highlight in Görlitz

Görlitz also offers a glimpse into historic architecture. Its historic Old Town contains around 4,000 listed buildings and is considered one of the best-preserved historic ensembles in Central Europe. After a town fire, the Schönhof was rebuilt in the Renaissance style from 1526 onwards. It is the main building of the Silesian Museum in Görlitz and is considered one of the oldest Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. Görlitz therefore centres on urban architectural heritage, while Dürrhennersdorf offers a different focus with its church, manor house and landscape.

Plan your stay around your interests

When planning accommodation, you can first decide whether your trip will focus more on trails through the landscape, the history of the church and its bells, or both. If you plan to visit a museum, remember to arrange an appointment by telephone; the church has the visiting options described above. This lets you tailor your search for accommodation in Dürrhennersdorf to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Rothenburg/Oberlausitz, Rietschen, Schleife, Oppach, Lawalde, Kreba-Neudorf, Mittelherwigsdorf, Bad Muskau

For the main travel overview: Görlitz.