Görlitz Local Custom Tips by german_eagle Top 5 Page for this destination

European Heritage Day

The 2nd Sunday every year is reserved for a special event: European Heritage Day. This day is celebrated all over Europe (with a different number of activities in each town :-)).

This day shall keep the rich architectural heritage of Europe to the citizen's mind. You can visit outstanding sites with fascinating architecture which are usually not open to visitors. (And in addition of course such which are always open.)

Görlitz is the perfect place for a visit on this special day. You can see architecture from Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, 19th century, Art Nouveau, Art Deco ... some in need of restoration, others perfectly reconstructed.

In 2004 I went to Görlitz and had a wonderful day. I'd like to share some of my pictures and what I learned in my General Tips. So, if you are an architecture fan, have a look at these tips!

One comment at last: the events are perfectly organised. At each site you find competent staff, either architects, owners or employees of the town administration. They are very friendly and provide a lot of information. Flyers with information for every site are available in German AND POLISH!

Other Contact: d.ridder@goerlitz.de

Phone: 03581/672627

Tag der offenen Sanierungstür

This quite hard to understand tip title refers to a day in June - usually the third Sunday that month - when the owners of recently restored (or almost completed) townhouses in Görlitz open the doors for visitors, mostly with the goal of renting in the back of their mind. Sometimes buildings that are privately owned or owned by the city join in this event, looking for potential investors.

I visited this event twice so far. Highlights and disappointments are close to each other. For example, in 2010 I was able to see an amazing, almost completely restored townhouse at Weberstraße and the landmark building Untermarkt 25, which is in very poor condition - but you could see the great potential. I could also see the new Youth hostel which will have its home right in the old town. Very nice construction, using and preserving old parts of the building.

On the other hand, the owner of a house at Kränzelstraße invited visitors despite having just begun restoration. And it was clearly visible he would not treat the building properly - too much cleared out and replaced by new structures.

Anyway, it is always fun to mingle with the locals, listen to their stories of old times and chatting with them.

Christkindelmarkt

The Christmas market in Görlitz is named "Christkindelmarkt", unlike most of the others in Saxony. Reason is that Görlitz has been part of Silesia for a long time and that's how they're called there.

As the town is located right between Saxony and Silesia it is influenced by both cultures and this shows on the Christkindelmarkt, too. Of course you'll see the wooden items from the Erzgebirge, like pyramids, smokers etc. but you'll also see many Silesian stuff - like the pottery, special food etc. I found the ambience was wonderful. The Christkindelmarkt takes place at Untermarkt square and Brüderstrasse, surrounded by historic architecture. Unfortunately it opens on 2nd and closes on 3rd Advent - a short time :(

Website: http://www.goerlitz.de

Whisper Portal

A special architecture is reason for a special experience: If you whisper some words on one side of the portal an other person can hear that clearly on the other side. Perfect acoustics!

Can be good for a romantic moment with your sweetheart :-)

Location: Untermarkt square, northern front.