I consider it lucky that it was so close to Christmas when coming around to the town of Geithain in Saxony. This was high time for lots of Advent activities, small old-time trains rumbling around the town square, and a community Christmas tree lit up for everyone to see over the course of two weeks in December.
If Geithain could be this pretty in the dead of winter, it has to be equally as beautiful when the mercury jumps up a few degrees. How could it not, Geithain lies within the Sächsisches Lössgefilde — a natural area that reaches out to places like the Oberlausitz.
Anyone willing to hike around the countryside will no doubt enjoy seeing it, but you might get distracted if you’re traveling along the Via Porphyria.
This is a totally new scenic route with a religious theme that goes on for some 200 km, by the way. It is further enhanced by the Lutheran music concerts Geithain hosts, as well.
Lovers of the great outdoors can learn all sorts of new things at the nearby Geo-park, and plenty about animals at the Tierpark. That’s a zoo, if you didn’t know. Anyone want to have a go on trying to lift the 15-ton granite boulder?
How about scoping out Geithain’s historical side instead? Good idea, right?
I’m not sure if I can actually do it in order, but I’ll try…
Back during the Neolithic ages some unique pottery was found around here. It’s called Stichbandkeramik in German, or Stroked Pottery in English, known to be found in this region of Central Europe.
You can always count on the Middle Ages for a good church (or two), like the St. Nicholas Church. The artwork inside the old chapel part of the church is quite famous. Quite breathtaking, if you ask me.
But the Middle Ages were a rough time in history, so defense fortifications were often necessary. Parts of the original defense system still exist, which you’re looking at parts of the old town wall, or even the Pulverturm — a Powder Tower that’s been here for like nine centuries.
Heck, if I had like 900 years on Earth I think I could spend it all in Geithain.
