The best city hikes and walks around Dam Bautzen

Knowledge creates tradition in Bautzen. Bautzen is now a university town, as the Saxony University of Cooperative Education, with its seven campuses in Bautzen, Breitenbrunn, Dresden, Glauchau, Leipzig, Plauen, and Riesa, merged in 2025 to become the Saxony University of Cooperative Education. On the open house day, there will be an opportunity to climb the tower. Bautzen is known as the city of towers, but the university tower is not yet so well known: https://www.sachsen-erkunden.de/bautzen-stadt-der-tuerme/

Leaning Tower of Bautzen

Bautzen boasts several important fountains, including the Ritter-Dutschmann Fountain on the main market square, the historic New Waterworks in the city fortifications, the Nymph and Unicorn drinking fountain on Reichenstraße, and the Elector Johann Georg Fountain. There's also the historic Gesundbrunnen fountain, whose spring was once considered to have healing properties. These fountains are part of the city's sights and history.

The Wendish Tower, or Serbska wěža in Sorbian, is part of Bautzen's medieval city fortifications. It is located on the northeastern edge of the old town and is now structurally connected to Gottfried Semper's Old Barracks (Stara kaserna). For centuries, the Via Regia ran through the adjacent Wendish Gate, which no longer exists. See: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendischer_Turm

As a result, the city's fortifications were partially demolished during the 19th century. Nevertheless, extensive remnants of the former fortifications have survived to the present day as testaments to the city's former defensive strength. See: https://www.bautzen.de/presse/2023-1

A city with wealthy citizens like Bautzen had to be constantly prepared for defense in the Middle Ages. Therefore, powerful city fortifications were built to deter enemy attacks. The sieges by the Hussites in 1429 and 1431 demonstrated that the existing defenses were no longer sufficient to protect the city. The municipality subsequently had the city fortifications extensively modernized and expanded well into the 16th century, with their might serving as a deterrent to enemy attacks. An outer and an inner city wall, moats, ditches, ramparts, bastions, and towers protected the city. Seven gates in the outer ring of walls secured access to the suburbs. By the early 18th century, however, the fortifications were gradually losing their military function. Furthermore, they hampered the city's architectural development and transport growth.

The Bautzen Hammer Mill was built in 1493 by the city of Bautzen on the Spree River as a wire mill, i.e., for the production of wire using wire drawing machines. In 1740, the mill was expanded to include an iron hammer mill. Today, it is located north of the old town on the border of the Seidau district and serves as a flour mill, oil mill, and mustard mill. See: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammerm%C3%BChle_(Bautzen)

Hammermühle Bautzen Experience mustard workshops and traditional craftsmanship up close At the Hammermühle Bautzen, now a combined flour mill, oil mill, and mustard mill, you can experience centuries-old craftsmanship up close. Originally built in 1493 as a wire mill, Heinke & Sohn Hammermühle Bautzen is now run by the sixth generation. Immerse yourself in the mill's eventful 500-year history and explore the historic technology. Create your own favorite mustard in a mustard workshop and browse the cozy mill shop. Learn more about various activities for all ages at the mill. The Hammermühle is located directly on the old Via Regia trade route, the Saxon Way of St. James, and the Seidau History Trail. kontakt@muehle.com See: https://www.bautzen.de/adressen/hammermuehle-bautzen-1294