Görlitz Things to Do Tips by richiecdisc

With its commanding location, the Peterskirche is an impressive amalgam of its illustrious past incarnations. Steeped in the city’s medieval origins, the former Late Romanesque basilica of approximately 1230 gave way to this Late Gothic successor built between 1423 and 1497. Its neo-Gothic towers were built in the late 1800s and can be seen from just about anywhere in the city. Though an admittedly impressive sight in its own right, its riverside hilltop location is what makes it truly stand out. It is best viewed from across the Neisse in Poland or just at the border entrance.

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Address: An der Peterskirche
Directions: Scenically situated on the hill above the Neisse river, north of the Untermarkt.

For me, this was even more impressive than the Peterskirche perhaps due to it being in a less restored state. It was like stepping back in time once you entered the former monastery church of the Franziskaner monks that was founded in 1234. The church itself was built between 1371 and 1381 and 0f particular note is the splendidly carved pulpit and alter dating back to 1516.

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Address: Obermarkt
Directions: At the east end of the Obermarkt, right in the Old Town center.

The Dicker Turm (Thick Tower) dates back to 1305 and stands like a sentry to the Old City center as well as the focal point of the Marienplatz. The town coat of arms is carved in sandstone and was added in 1477.

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Address: on Steinstrasse
Directions: At the north end of the Marienplatz in the Old City center.

Another tower and early remnant of the medieval town center, the Reichenbacher Turm was build between 1376 and 1485 though its Baroque roof was added in 1732. It features the coat of arms of the Lusatian League of Six Cities and houses an annex portion of the museum more formally located in the nearby Kaiserstrutz.

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Directions: Separating the Demianplatz and Obermarkt, nearby the Kaiserstrutz.

To learn a bit about the city’s illustrious past, stop by the Municipal Museum housed inside the formidable Kaiserstrutz, an armament dating back to 1490. For 3 Euros you can visit it along with the Reichenbacher Turm and climb its 165 steps for a birds eye view.

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Directions: In the Demianplatz, just off the Obermarkt in the Old City center.

Perhaps the oldest of Germany’s burgher houses having been built by Roskopf the Elder in 1526, the Schönhof is one of Görlitz’s crown jewels with its corner oriel made all the more dramatic by colorful pilasters.

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Address: the end of Bruderstrasse
Directions: Situated where Bruderstrasse enters the Untermarkt, right in the heart of the Old City center.

The Görlitz Rathaus (Town Hall) was built in many phases with it most famous feature, the external staircase by W. Roskopf dating back to the early 1500s and its ample tower featuring two historic clocks

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Directions: The focal point of the Untermarkt, the very heart of the Old City center.

Locally born artist, Bartholomäus Scultetus, built the two faced Astronomical Clock that adorns the Northeast face of the Rathaus’ tower in 1584. The lower and exquisite clock shows the local time while the upper equally impressive clock gives both a 24 hour clock and information about the phases of the moon.

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Directions: Look up, it's a bird, it's a plane, no it's an Astronomical Clock.

The Flüsterbogen or “Whispering Arch” is a Late Gothic doorway at house No. 22 of the Undermarkt that all tourists make a spectacle (including us) by whispering (in our case as newlyweds) sweet nothings into one end and waiting for them to come out the other. Hey, it works and it was fun. But yes, we are newlyweds. ;>

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Address: Untermarkt 22
Directions: Just look for tourist standing on an arch door way, you can't miss it!

The Biblisches Haus was built in 1570 after the 1526 fire destroyed all of the original Neissestrasse as well as part of the Untermarkt. Its name comes from the ornate biblical reliefs carved into the sandstone depicting both New and Old Testament scenes.

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Address: Neissestrasse 29
Directions: Neissestrasse runs from the river to the Untermarkt.