Discover Müglitztal: Nature, Castle and Culture

Müglitztal brings together natural landscapes, history and cultural attractions for a variety of trips. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in the valley, you can first decide whether you are most interested in the landscape, the history of the castle, industrial heritage, local history or a programme of performances. The destinations and routes below show the different themes on offer.

Nature and the valley landscape

The Müglitztal FFH area 43E extends through the valley and its side valleys from the Ore Mountains ridge to the Elbe. It includes near-natural streams and characteristic deciduous woodland communities. The area is also home to endangered plant species. Water, woodland and plant life thus represent different aspects of this natural landscape.

Castle, technology and local history

Weesenstein Castle stands above the Müglitztal. The exhibition on the history of the castle reaches back to the Middle Ages, and there are also cultural and culinary offerings. The castle is also associated with significant historic garden culture.

Another perspective on history can be found at the historic lime kiln in Müglitztal. The restored Rumford kiln dates from 1856 and can be visited as an industrial monument. An exhibition explores the history of the kiln and the significance of Maxen marble. This brings together the history of technology and that of a material of regional importance.

The Maxen Local History Museum presents local history in four exhibition rooms. A diorama with more than 1,000 figures depicts the Battle of Maxen in 1759. There are also documents, coins and weapons, as well as insights into local limestone and marble quarrying. The collection thus combines an account of the historical event with artefacts and displays about stone extraction.

For theatre and music, there is the Maxen Open-Air Theatre, which has seating for 500 spectators. Its programme includes theatre, cabaret, folk music and choir concerts. The stage is located in a former Royal Saxon marble quarry, among rocks and steep slopes beneath the tree canopy. This gives it a different cultural focus from the exhibitions at Weesenstein Castle and the Maxen Local History Museum.

Routes and travel to Weesenstein

The Weesenstein circular trail runs from Weesenstein Castle along the Planet Trail beside the Müglitz to Köttewitz and back. Along the Planet Trail section, information boards about the planets are positioned at regular intervals. The circular trail thus combines a route through the Müglitztal with an astronomical theme.

To travel to Weesenstein, take the S1 from Meißen/Dresden or Schöna/Pirna to Heidenau; from there, continue on the Müglitztalbahn SB72. On weekdays, bus route 202 also serves the Gemeindeamt Weesenstein stop on its route from Heidenau to Glashütte. When travelling by train, change in Heidenau; when travelling by bus, bear in mind that it runs on weekdays. Check current connections and stop arrangements before setting off, as timetables and stops may change.

Discover more destinations: Bahretal, Kreischa, Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel, Bannewitz, Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach, Kirnitzschtal, Altenberg, Rathmannsdorf.

To the main travel overview: Saxon Switzerland.