Pirna

Pirna is a small old town on the banks of Elbe. It is located between Dresden and Saxon Switzerland National Park, therefore popular with tourists. City has standard old town and the palace on the hill. However the palace is not included in any of the lists of sites of Saxony. The reason you will find at the end of the article.

After the reunification of Germany, the central part was completely reconstructed. However, in 2002 there was a flood, so walking the streets now, you can see that they all are renovated one more time.


Traditionally, the most beautiful place in the city is Market Square with the Town Hall, rebuilt in 1555-56 years.








The old houses in the center






Electric bikes are more and more popular in Germany


Canalettohaus is the oldest surviving building in the city, built in 1520. Inside is a tourist information office and a small exhibition of the painter Canaletto, who drew 11 large paintings of the city from 1753 to 1755.






Saxon post milestone, built in 1722 at the time of Augustus the Strong. Distances are indicated in hours, 1 hour = 4531 m.


Engelserkerhaus house with beautiful balcony, built in 1663


Sonnenstein Palace is located on a hill above the old town.


It can be easily reached by numerous paths.


Visiting the palace is not possible as since 1811 it operates as a mental hospital, but you can walk in the park.








View of the city from the hill


View of the city church (1502-1546).


In 1940-41 the Nazis used this facility for euthanasia of 15 thousand people, which were considered unnecessary. Most of them were mentally ill Germans and prisoners of concentration camps. The method of the gas chambers, which was tested here, later was used at Auschwitz. For obvious reasons, the palace is not included in the list of attractions of Pirna or Saxony. For the same reason Pirna can not become a full value tourist destination...


Getting there: S1 train from Dresden, use bahn.de.