Taubenheim/Spree: Sundials, Church and Trails

Taubenheim/Spree combines a distinctive focus on sundials with church and architectural history, as well as trails through the surrounding countryside. When planning your trip, you can choose from different highlights: an easy circular walk, historic buildings, and destinations offering views and leisure activities. Which ones you choose to focus on can shape the character of your stay.

Sundials in the Village

As a sundial village, Taubenheim/Spree can be explored on an easy 6.29 km circular route. It takes you to 53 historic and modern sundials on house walls, gables, and in gardens. You can explore the route independently or join a guided tour by prior arrangement. The mix of historic and modern clocks offers a contrast across time; their locations on houses and in gardens connect the theme with the village’s built environment.

Hiking Trails and Countryside

If you would like to include trails through the countryside as well as the village, Taubenberg offers several starting points. Hiking trails cross Taubenberg, at 455.9 m the highest elevation in the village of Taubenheim. The Taubenberg nature trail passes the Schalenbruch: this disused quarry is filled with water, surrounded by steep rock faces, and has places to rest.

Heritage Hiking Trail Tour 2 explores the northern part of Taubenheim and its historic monuments. A detour leads to Wachtberg, designated a protected natural area, which offers a sweeping view across Taubenheim. These two scenic landmarks offer different highlights: Taubenberg is notable as the highest elevation, while Tour 2, with its detour to Wachtberg, opens up a sweeping view across Taubenheim.

Church and Architectural History

Taubenheim’s hall church was extended entirely to the west and consecrated on November 19, 1775, after 18 years of construction. Its history also reaches back to the Reformation: in 1524, together with the church in Oppach, the church in Taubenheim was among the first rural Lutheran congregations in all of Upper Lusatia where the Reformation was implemented and communion in both kinds was introduced. These two dates mark different chapters in the history of the local church: 1524 for the implementation of the Reformation and the introduction of communion in both kinds, and 1775 for the consecration of the extended church.

Another building that contributes to the village’s character is the “Max Panitz” residential and commercial building. It is a half-timbered house in the center of Taubenheim and is a defining feature of the village. This centrally located building adds its own architectural landmark to the history of the church.

More Places to Visit in the Village

Beyond hiking and history, Taubenheim also has the solar-heated Erlebnisbad Weißbachtal outdoor pool. Near the train station, there is also an open-air exhibition of agricultural equipment with a leisure area. These destinations are quite different: Erlebnisbad is an outdoor pool, while the exhibition brings together agricultural equipment and a leisure area. Taubenheim thus offers both trails and historic buildings, as well as a variety of leisure destinations for your plans.

For the broader travel overview: Sohland An Der Spree.