The 37 square kilometer town of Sohland an der Spree reads like a what’s what of German geography. You’ll find this 37 square kilometer town a mere stone’s throw from the Czech border in the Bautzen District (the town of Bautzen is only 15km north) of the Upper Lusatia region of Saxony.
I’m so precise about it because there’s a (smaller) town with the same name nearby — Sohland am Rotstein, just 32km or 45 minutes east.
Back to Sohland an der Spree, you can look to the heavens at the Bruno Bürgel Observatory (called a Sternwarte). Oh, I think I see Saturn! ;-)
You’ll also see Saturn at the Planetenweg, or Planet Trail. 4.2km of planetary education, accompanied by tour offers, will make the whole family happy.
The observatory and the Planetenweg aren’t the only ways to see how our solar system works. The sun is a pretty accurate way of telling time, which is what you’ll learn about at the Sonnenuhrendorf; a neat and very interesting place totally devoted to the sundial.
And if the Milky Way references aren’t enough, even Sohland’s landmark is named the Himmelsbrücke (Sky Bridge). This late 18th century bridge makes a romantic spot for a kiss. Heck, it’s charming enough that someone should turn its picture into a jigsaw puzzle.
Sohland’s even got two museums to visit while you’re here pondering the sun & stars. One is the Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum), the other the Oberlausitzer Forstmuseum (Upper Lusatian Forestry Museum).
The forest is where you’ll also take in a forest theater performance. Just consider it another outdoor activity like lumbering along the cross country trails, cycling paths, tobogganing, and skiing.
To make your trip even better, come for the Harvest Festival at the end of September. But, if you miss it — it’s OK, you’ll still enjoy yourself.
