Discover Mittelherwigsdorf

Mittelherwigsdorf combines a long, stretched settlement pattern with a rich architectural history. The municipality lies in the valleys of the Rietschebach, also known as the Ritzebach, and the Mandau. As a 7.5-kilometre-long Waldhufendorf (a forest-strip village) with a horseshoe-shaped layout, it brings together architectural heritage and routes across the municipal area. For trip planning, the focus is therefore on regional building culture and exploring on foot or by bike.

A village with a long history

Mittelherwigsdorf was first mentioned in writing in 1312 and is also considered one of the oldest settlements in southern Lusatia. The historic Kretscham estate in the village centre dates from 1686. Numerous farmsteads, rebuilt around 1860 to 1870, characterise the edges of the valley. Linen weaving was historically the most important source of income for the Häusler, or smallholders. The village’s history is thus reflected in more than dates: a building in the centre, farmsteads along the valley’s edges and the history of weaving each tell a different part of the story.

Umgebinde houses and routes through the districts

The municipality preserves a representative cross-section of Upper Lusatian Umgebinde house types dating from the 17th to the 19th century. The Upper Lusatian Umgebinde House Route is part of the German Timber-Frame Road. Each district has a circular village trail along this route, helping visitors find their way as they explore the district. In Radgendorf, Umgebinde houses associated with the weavers’ homes of the 19th century have been preserved. The architectural heritage can therefore be explored in several ways: through the variety of house types, as part of a timber-frame route, and through the connection between houses and the work once carried out there.

The elongated settlement pattern describes the village as a whole, while the circular trails lead through its individual districts. This gives your planning a change of scale: you can use the architectural history as a guiding theme while also focusing on individual districts.

Cycling and hiking trails, the river and viewpoints

The Rübezahl Cycle Route and the Umgebinde House Route pass through Mittelherwigsdorf; the two local cycle routes connect with the Oder–Neiße Cycle Route and the Spree Cycle Route. When planning your rides, you can take into account both the routes through the village and the connections to these two cycle routes. Check route availability and signposting locally.

Hiking offers a different scale: the Zittau Mountains and their foothills have more than 700 kilometres of hiking trails. Viewpoints in the municipality offer views of the Jizera Mountains, Ještěd, the Zittau Mountains and the Upper Lusatian Highlands. The barefoot trail has two planned crossings of the Mandau; water levels and seasonal conditions may affect them. You can therefore choose between local trails and viewpoints on the one hand and the wider hiking area on the other.

Enjoy the culture and shape your accommodation search

The Kulturfabrik adds a cinema programme to the local cultural offer. When searching for accommodation, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: are you mainly interested in Umgebinde houses and local history, cycling and hiking trails, or cultural events? This can help you choose accommodation that suits what you would like to explore during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Görlitz, Schöpstal, Kodersdorf, Rietschen, Rothenburg/Oberlausitz, Schönau-Berzdorf Auf Dem Eigen, Horka, Herrnhut.

Go to the main travel overview: Görlitz.