On 1/1/11 (a most auspicious number, wouldn’t you say) Germany got itself a whole new town, Schirgiswalde-Kirschau. Oh, it’s not as if Saxony just acquired some new real estate; no, the formerly independent towns and villages of the new Schirgiswalde-Kirschau were once part of the (deep breath for this long word) Verwaltsungsgemeinschaft Schirgiswalde — namely Schirgiswalde, Kirschau, and Crostau.
I really don’t mean to sound flippant or sarcastic, but this likely means little or nothing to you. So what’s more important than its name on a map would be all the wonderful sights and attractions — at least that’s my reasoning.
For real, wouldn’t you get more of a tingle thinking about a thousand year old castle? Of course you would, and that’s exactly what you’ll find when you come see Burg Körse. It’s too sad there isn’t much left, just an archway and some stones, but in its heyday (before being destroyed more than 650 years ago) it had its own donjon and drawbridge.
Even if you’re not into castles (shudder the thought), there’s still plenty to get excited about. The nice people at the Tourist Office (located in Schirgiswalde at Sohlander Straße 3) can help you find stuff to do. They’re sure to tell you about the Apple Festival (with an Apple Queen, no less), about the Bridge Festival, the Hexenfeuer on Walpurgis Night, and the Nikolausmarkt, too.
I’d also be sure to make time to visit places like the town’s City Museum (located in Schirgiswalde on Hauptstraße), and the Local History Museum at the Burgmuseum Kirschau (in the district of Kirschau).
All this running around can stress you out, so the Körse Therme is the perfect place to restore some balance. The salt cave is just what you need if you’re got some breathing issues — along with whatever else ails you.
You know, Schirgiswalde-Kirschau is located within the Upper Lusatian Mountains, so a quiet hiking trail could quite possibly have the same effect (don’t go too far, the Czech Republic’s only 5 km away). I’d say a trip to the village of Klein Postwitz could do that too — it’s a serene village of just 50+ people (outnumbered by sheep) along tree lined streets.
Whatever anyone calls the present day Schirgiswalde-Kirschau, you’d have to also call it wonderful.
