I keep hearing myself answering the Jeopardy “question” from the German History category for a $1000 — From the U.S. Captiol Building & Baltimore Basilica, to the streets of Niesky. Who is Benjamin Latrobe, Alex?
That’s right, the great American architect Benjamin Latrobe who designed the United States Capitol Building and Baltimore Basilica went to school right here in Niesky, close to the Polish border in Saxony.
For other little “tidbits” of German history, or just some fun in the area you got to head to the Niesky Tourist Info Center. It’s open Monday thru Saturday and can help the Jeopardy enthusiast (or, in this case — a regular tourist) with hiking maps, get you set up with a bicycle rental, or getting a fishing license.
Yeah, you need one of those to go fishing — don’t get caught without one.
Niesky’s Tourist Office is the best place to also find out about many of the goings on in this relatively small town. They’ll tell you all about the Christmas Market that takes place in the beginning of December, or the cabaret shows or other types of entertainment. Who cares if they’re not speaking your language, just go and enjoy yourself, anyhow!
When you’re not taking in a theater performance or out fishing, go visit the Evangelical Church of the Moravian Church. While that might be a mouthful to say, the church, simply put, is beautiful.
There’s also an obelisk at the Neusärichener Cemetery dedicated to the Franco-Prussian War. A few of Niesky’s memorial markers came later on, after the 2nd World War. There’s a memorial at the subcamp of the Groß-Rosen Concentration Camp that had been opened here; and a memorial on Herbert Balzer Street to Herbert Balzer, a Nazi resistance fighter. Look for another one that’s dedicated to a man by the name of Fritz Thiele.
After a visit to the town of Niesky, you might be more confident in answering some more of those Jeopardy questions. ;-)
