Splendor and enjoyment
Route »Splendor and enjoyment«
Along Saxony’s Wine Hiking Trail
Saxony’s winegrowing area along the Elbe between Pirna and Diesbar-Seusslitz is the furthest northern and smallest such area in Germany. Saxony’s wine route connects all of the areas that are important for winegrowing. However, this route can be enjoyed by foot using Saxony’s wine hiking trail. Because the nobility were always up for a good wine and the up-and-coming bourgeoisie also knew how to celebrate, charming river landscapes as well as quaint winegrowing villages and vineyards are not the only sites to be seen, but castles and splendorous mansions can also be enjoyed.
Distance approx. 92 km
Nature and architecture in harmony
Before heading off, enjoy a glass of wine from the right side of the Elbe River while looking out upon the old town of Pirna, which is dominated by the former Sonnenstein Fortress.
On the outskirts of Dresden, there is the summer residence of the former kings of Saxony, Pillnitz Castle. The castle hotel is a perfect place to stay or dine. In the Dresden winegrowing villages, peasant architecture meets the majesty of splendorous mansions. Close to the Blue Wonder Bridge, the family Dinglinger, former court jewelers, who were responsible for many works found in the Green Vault, owned their own vineyard. Just like a chain of pearls, the three Elbe Castles stretch along the river. Today Eckberg Castle is a hotel, whereas Albrechtsberg Castle is being used for exhibits. The so-called Lingner Castle, which belonged to the same-named mouthwash producer (“Odol”) is slowly but surely being made open to the public.
Once in Dresden you should visit the many glorious buildings once belonging to Saxony’s rulers, such as the Zwinger and the Residential Palace with its wonderful state art collections, the Taschenberg Palais, today a top class hotel, and the Palace in the Great Garden. The fortification under Brühl’s Berrace displays the former protection of the city which was eventually given up due to Dresden’s expanding splendor.
False dogs and real red Indians
It is possible to cross the border to Radebeul without even noticing it. The villas of the sloped vineyards have long been considered the most beautiful residential areas within the region. The former court winery Hoflössnitz is still pressing wine to this very day. The characteristic vessel for Saxonys’ wines, a green glass bottle in the shape of a club with a volume of 0.7 liters, was invented here in 1931. Also worth visiting, is the richly decorated ballroom in the mansion dating back to the Renaissance period.
The so-called “Lössnitzdackel” (Lössnitz Dachshund), a narrow-gauge steam locomotive still being used today, offers rides through the vineyards on toward Moritzburg, where the same-named castle and the Pheasant Castle are awaiting your visit. A famous citizen of Radebeul was Karl May, whose house is now a museum and whose works are relived every year for the Karl May Weekend. Festivities also take place in the former village green of Altkötzschenbroda, where a great wine festival is celebrated every September. Numerous restaurants and wine cellars invite you to stay a while and the Elbe River bike path is just minutes away. Not too far away, Wackerbarth Castle can be found which offers guided tours through the glass-house factory of Saxony’s state vineyard as well as offers tastings of selected wines and sparkling wines.
The value of tradition
Not only does the mild climate of the Elbe River Valley make Saxony’s wines a taste explosion. Grapevines are planted bearing south, in fertile soil, are lovingly cared for and protected by quarry stone walls. A glass of Goldriesling should not be left out, considering that this particular grape is not grown anywhere else in Germany. Saxony’s oldest and best vineyard, Proschwitz Castle, is located on a hillside and offers guided tours of its vineyard. From there a beautiful view of Meissen, crowned by the Albrechtsburg Castle and its dome, can be enjoyed.
It is said that Meissen’s Bishop Benno brought wine growing to the Elbe River area nine hundred years ago. Within the ruins of the former Cistercian monastery “Zum heiligen Kreuz”, on the outskirts of Meissen, the Hahnemann Center has been created in honor of Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy.
Saxony’s wine hiking trail leads along the other Elbe River side to one of the most charming parts of Saxony’s winegrowing area and then onto Diesbar-Seusslitz. In wine cellars and only seasonally open taverns, selling home grown wine, various wines can be enjoyed along the way. The castle and the church in Diesbar were both built by George Bähr, architect of Dresden’s Church of Our Lady. The baroque garden surrounded by vineyards is also worth a visit. Splendor and enjoyment are inseparable in Saxony.
