There’s nothing wrong with being a “tourist.” I know, sometimes it seems like such a dirty word — and I know I don’t want to be perceived as one all the time.
Luckily for me, the Saxon town of Bobritzsch-Hilbersdorf isn’t a touristy kind of place, so maybe if I just quietly go about my business, no one will label me one.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with traveling with your camera ready, all the while staring aimlessly at a map — but sometimes you just wanna blend in with the locals.
I’d say the best place here to do that is at the 3-day Hilsdorfer Dorffest, or Village Festival, held in the early days of June.
Of course, if you’re absolutely looking to do touristy stuff, then I’d say you’ll have to visit any one of Bobritzsch-Hilbersdorf’s village churches. My favorite one is found in the village of Niederbobritzsch, maybe because it’s just so pretty.
No, it’s the village church of St. Nicholas in Oberbobritzsch that I like the most. Ohh, I’m so torn — good old St. Nick’s is a proper medieval church, whereas Niederbobritzsch’s is quite a few centuries younger. Let’s just say they’re each my favorite in the respective time periods, OK?
I kind of like the village of Obernaundorf, too. There’s nothing like a relaxing bike ride (or a simple hike) through the Tharandter Forest — all the while thinking about how things have changed over the centuries. You know, like no one these days is gonna single you out for a witch hunt — like they did here in the 18th century.
Hmm, I wonder what made one think you were a witch back then?
Ahh, no time to think about that now, there are some nearby castles I must see. Burg Frauenstein isn’t too far, but even so, the medieval ruin from the 1200s is worth the trek. Just don’t confuse it with Schloss Frauenstein (over in Frauenstein), that’s a 16th century Renaissance castle doing double-duty as a museum.
And it’s back to the lovely countryside along the Rundwanderweg Bobritzsch, because sometimes you just need to clear your mind — and the Bobritzschtal, Tharandter Forest, and Ore Mountains can make that happen. Just remember before you run off, buy yourself some locally produced cooking oils from the Oil Mill. It’s been producing some of the best stuff on earth since the mid-18th century, ya know.
Cool, a souvenir that’s kinda good for you. If I buy like 20 bottles, do you think everyone would look at me like a tourist? ;-)
