Date: 13-14th August 2022
Travelled: 330 kms from Stolzenhagen to Bautzen, Germany
Visited: Chorin Klosters and Bautzen
Stayed: Bautzen Stellplatz, free, N51.18190, E14.41490ย ย
Budget: 81 days @ โฌ108 per day
It was a hot evening on the Oder canal in Stolzenhagen. There was a pleasant breeze until around 9 pm, the breeze disappeared as the sun was setting. We closed up and turned on the air conditioner for the first time this season.
Pam went for an early walk and captured these photos.
We say goodbye to our neighbours who were the friendliest bunch of Germans campers we have met on our travels.
Our first stop is Chorin Kloster about 30 kms further south. The Kloster is the ruin of a Cistercian Monastery which was established here in 1273. The monastery stands next to a beautiful lake which itself is surrounded by lush woodlands. Itโs still early so we get a spot in the closest carpark, pay our entry fee of โฌ6 pp and go exploring.
As we walk around the Kloster itโs obvious an orchestra is practicing and we find them in what was this immense nave practicing for this afternoons concert.
Continuing on towards Bautzen we find a series of road closures and diversions. The GPS is saying one thing, whilst the temporary road signs say something else. A 3 hour drive takes more than 4 hours. By the time we arrive at Bautzen Iโm done.
The stellplatz at Bautzen is situated in a large carpark just over the River Spree. Being close to the centrum and free, ticks the boxes for Pam. โฌ0.50 will cover our power connection for 24 hours and we settle in.
Bautzen is 40 kms from the Polish border, not that they have borders in Eastern Saxony. Bautzen was first recorded in 1002 as a Sorbian Village. The Sorbian people remain an ethnic minority here in Germany still centred around Bautzen.
Our guide book describes it as the โCity of Towersโ. There are 17 towers in and around Bautzen and much of the city walls are still intact. After the day weโve had, a short walk to a riverside restaurant is in order.
After a delicious schnitzel, smoked trout and a couple of rounds of drinks where done. We walk up the hill back to the Hymer. Thereโs a lovely breeze which makes for a pleasant nights sleep.
Next morning,not particularly early we walk off to explore Bauzten. Our first stop is the Alte Wasserkunst our guide book tells us it the most visited of all Bauzten towers. We pay our โฌ3.50 pp and start walking up the stairs (193 of them).
The ticket seller doesnโt tell us the water level is too low and he is not allowed to operate the water wheel and pump. So in effect itโs a dry visit. The views from the top of the tower are great but the pump room is behind a large section of dirty perspex and I cannot get a photo of the mechanism worth showing.
Easily the best door of the day ! Gold over black has that timely appeal.
Walking up the Kornmarkt, the Reichenturm is clearly in view. Itโs Bauztenโs leaning tower. In 1718 the baroque copula was added to this 56m high and it started to lean. Today its 1.4m off centre. We planned to climb it, but thereโs a sign on the door saying โIโm sick and cannot come todayโ.
We eventually find the Dom of St.Petri, thereโs obviously a service in progress and itโs now late lunch time so we walk back to the Hymer for lunch and some R+R. Come 4pm we venture back across the bridge and go back to the Dom to conclude our visit.
The Dom is a rare Simultankirche meaning it serves both the Catholic and Protestant communities. The church is effectively divided in half with an alter at each end. There was a waist high gate dividing the two halves but that was done away with more than 60 years ago.
One of several old tractors towing a camper crossing the bridge as we walk home.
Another interesting day has slid through to the keeper. The breeze drops with the sun, another euro in the electricity box and the air-conditioning comes on for the night.
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Bautzen, Germany ๐ฉ๐ช 2022”
Lovely area, some of my ancestors stayed nearby at Herrenhut for a few years on their way from Salzburg to Kรถnigsberg in East prussia in 1732onwards. A very kind Count Von Zinsendorf looked after them and 3000 other Christians on his estate .Lovely area enjoying your Fotos safe travels