Görlitz
Görlitz Sights: 15 Jewels of the Old Town
The medieval town of Görlitz enchants visitors with its exceptionally well-preserved old town. The Görlitz sights rank among the most impressive in the whole of Germany, making the town a true gem on the border with Poland. With over 4,000 listed buildings packed into a small area, Görlitz offers a unique journey through various eras of architectural history. In this comprehensive guide, we introduce you to the 15 most important Görlitz sights that you simply mustn't miss on your visit.
Görlitz sights on Obermarkt: the heart of the old town
Obermarkt forms the vibrant centre of the Görlitz old town and brings together some of the most significant Görlitz sights in one square. This historic marketplace impresses with its harmonious mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings.
The Town Hall on Obermarkt
The imposing town hall dominates Obermarkt and is considered one of the most important Görlitz sights. The Gothic building from the 14th century was later extended with Renaissance elements.
- Gothic foundation dating from 1369
- Magnificent Renaissance façade with rich ornamentation
- Historic council chamber with original interior preserved
- Public tours through the historic rooms
- Wonderful views over the old town from the town hall tower
💡 Tip: The best time to visit the town hall is in the morning, when the light beautifully highlights the details of the façade.
Schönhof – Germany's oldest Renaissance townhouse
The Schönhof on Obermarkt is one of the architectural highlights among the Görlitz sights. Built in 1526, it is considered Germany's oldest Renaissance townhouse.
- Unique Renaissance architecture with Italian influences
- Magnificent arcaded walkways in the courtyard
- Today home to the Silesian Museum
- Changing exhibitions on Silesian cultural history
Görlitz sights of sacred architecture: churches and monasteries
The religious buildings are among the most impressive Görlitz sights and bear witness to the town's rich spiritual tradition. Each church tells its own story and offers unique architectural features.
Peterskirche – landmark of Görlitz
The late Gothic Peterskirche is the town's undisputed landmark and one of the most significant Görlitz sights. The 84-metre-high tower shapes the silhouette of the old town.
- Late Gothic building from the 15th century
- Unique Sun Organ by Eugenio Casparini
- Magnificent vaulted ceiling paintings inside
- Climb the tower for a panoramic view
- Regular concerts and organ recitals
Frauenkirche – a Gothic gem
The Frauenkirche impresses as one of the most atmospheric Görlitz sights thanks to its intimate atmosphere and art-historical treasures.
- Gothic hall church from the 14th/15th century
- Important epitaphs and tombs
- Valuable late Gothic altars
- Historic pulpit with rich carvings
- Exceptional acoustics for chamber music
💡 Tip: The Frauenkirche regularly hosts chamber concerts – an unforgettable experience in a historic setting.
Görlitz sights along the Neisse promenade
The Neisse promenade connects various Görlitz sights while also offering wonderful views over the Neisse and the Polish town of Zgorzelec. This part of town has been lovingly restored.
Kaisertrutz – a fortified piece of town history
The Kaisertrutz is one of the most striking Görlitz sights and documents the town's fortified past. The late medieval bastion is now home to the Museum of Cultural History.
- Late medieval round bastion from the 15th century
- Mighty walls up to 5 metres thick
- Museum featuring town history and art collections
- Changing special exhibitions
- Historic defence technology and town fortifications
Reichenbacher Turm – gateway to the old town
As part of the medieval town fortifications, the Reichenbacher Turm ranks among the important Görlitz sights. The Gothic gate tower marks the southern entrance to the old town.
- Gothic gate tower from the 13th century
- Faithful restoration of the defensive elements
- Exhibition on the history of the town fortifications
- Viewpoint overlooking the old town
Görlitz sights among the townhouses: architectural masterpieces
The magnificent townhouses are among the most impressive Görlitz sights and bear witness to the former wealth of this cloth-trading town. Each house tells its own story.
Biblisches Haus – stories carved in stone
The Biblisches Haus on the banks of the Neisse is one of the most extraordinary Görlitz sights. Its Renaissance façade is adorned with over 60 biblical reliefs.
- Renaissance townhouse from the 16th century
- Over 60 biblical reliefs on the façade
- A unique combination of architecture and theology
- Intricately detailed stonemasonry
- A great photo spot for architecture and art lovers
Waidhaus – trade and transformation
The late Gothic Waidhaus is one of the economically most significant Görlitz sights, documenting the town's former wealth generated through the woad trade.
- Late Gothic trading house from the 15th century
- Centre of the lucrative woad trade
- Magnificent vaults and trading halls
- Today a restaurant with historic ambience
- Authentic medieval atmosphere
Görlitz sights of the Gründerzeit: Wilhelmine heritage
Alongside the medieval buildings, Görlitz sights from the Gründerzeit era also enrich the townscape. This period, too, left behind impressive architectural testimonies.
Görlitz Art Nouveau department store
The former department store on Postplatz is one of the most significant Görlitz sights of the modern era and represents the heyday of Art Nouveau.
- Art Nouveau architecture from the early 20th century
- Magnificent façade with floral ornamentation
- Historic shop windows and entrance halls
- Today a cultural centre hosting events
- Café with a view over Postplatz
Stadthalle Görlitz
The historic Stadthalle adds an important events venue in the Wilhelmine style to the cultural Görlitz sights.
- Wilhelmine architecture from the late 19th century
- Magnificent festival hall with historic charm
- Regular concerts and theatre performances
- Ballroom with original interior preserved
Görlitz sights among the museums: culture and history
The museum landscape enriches the Görlitz sights with important cultural institutions. These provide deeper insights into the region's history, art and culture.
Silesian Museum
The Silesian Museum in the Schönhof is one of the most important cultural Görlitz sights and documents the rich Silesian cultural history.
- Comprehensive collection on Silesian history
- Artworks from the Middle Ages to the modern era
- Changing special exhibitions
- Interactive presentations for all age groups
- Museum education programmes
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum extends the Görlitz sights with natural science aspects, showcasing the diversity of the region's flora and fauna.
- Geological collection from the Oberlausitz region
- Specimens of native wildlife
- Mineral collection with rare specimens
- Family-friendly exhibitions
- Regular tours and workshops
Görlitz sights for film fans: Hollywood on the Neisse
Görlitz has made a name for itself as a film town, and various filming locations have become special Görlitz sights for cinema fans. The town has served as a backdrop for numerous international productions.
Filmstadt Görlitz
The entire old town functions as a natural film studio, making Görlitz a unique experience among German cities.
- Filming location for over 100 international films
- ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’, ‘The Reader’, ‘Inglourious Basterds’
- Film tours to the most important filming locations
- Regular film premieres and festivals
- Film museum with exhibits from the productions
💡 Tip: Book a guided film tour to discover the filming locations of the most famous films and get background information.
📍 Discover more: Explore further recommendations for Görlitz on our city page.
Conclusion: experience the Görlitz sights
The Görlitz sights offer a unique journey through centuries of European architectural and cultural history. From Gothic churches to Renaissance palaces and modern film sets, Görlitz combines history and the present in a fascinating way.
The key takeaways for your visit to Görlitz:
- Plan at least two days for the most important Görlitz sights
- Book guided tours for deeper insights into history and architecture
- Take advantage of the film tours for a special experience
- Visit both the well-known and the hidden sights
- Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the car-free old town
Discover for yourself why Görlitz ranks among the most beautiful towns in Germany, and let yourself be enchanted by the variety of Görlitz sights!
Frequently Asked Questions about Görlitz sights
How many Görlitz sights can you visit in one day? In one day, you can visit around 6-8 of the most important Görlitz sights if you start early and go on foot. However, for a relaxed visit, we recommend at least two days.
Which Görlitz sights are free to visit? Many Görlitz sights, such as Obermarkt, Peterskirche (from the outside), Biblisches Haus and the Neisse promenade, can be visited free of charge. Museums and tower climbs require an entrance fee.
When is the best time to visit the Görlitz sights? The best time is from May to September in warm weather. But the Görlitz sights also have their charm in winter, especially during the Christmas season with the historic Christmas market.
Are there guided tours of the Görlitz sights? Yes, there are various tours available: classic city tours, film tours, night watchman tours and themed tours on architecture or history. Booking is available through the Tourist Information office.
Are the Görlitz sights wheelchair accessible? Due to their age, many of the historic Görlitz sights have only limited accessibility. However, modern museums and some churches offer accessible entrances. Check with the Tourist Information office in advance.
David Schäfer
