Page 122 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

120 BACK ROADS GERMANY

7 Gross Sedlitz
Saxony; 01809
Fountains and flowerbeds, parterre
patterns and statues of antique
deities make this the most grandiose
of Augustus’s pleasure gardens.
A syn thesis of late-Baroque Italian
and French styles, its sym metry
ref lects the Age of Reason (the
17th cen tury flourishing of philo-
so phical thought). It opens on to an
immaculate green where Augustus
the Strong played bowls, then
sweeps down to a lower terrace, a
Above left Wall and tower of the Festung radiant green divided by channels
Königstein Above right Spire of the 6 Schloss Pillnitz and backed by the rhyth mic arches
Stadtkirche St Marien towering over rooftops, Saxony; 01326 of an orangery full of fragrant
Pirna Below Gross Sedlitz, on the outskirts A drive along the Elbe offers views of Tuscan orange trees.
of Pirna the 19th-century villas and palaces ª Return to Pirna and drive over the
on the river’s northern bank. The inspi- B172 into the Zentrum. Park beside
ration for these buildings was Schloss the river in the car park P6, or on
Pillnitz, an extraordinary ensemble Markt beyond the viaduct.
begun in 1720 to host the summer-
time revels of Augustus the Strong. Wines of Saxony
Architect Pöppelmann reflected the The northern slopes of the Elbe
ruler’s admi ration for autocratic are sufficiently sun-drenched to
Oriental emperors in the chinoiserie allow viticul ture. Müller-Thurgau
of the facing wings, one of which con- (also called Rivaner), fresh and
characterful, is the most popular
tains a crafts museum (Apr–Oct: open variety of grape cultivated here,
Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: open Sat & Sun). Learn followed by Riesling and
about the complex’s creation in the Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc).
Neues Palace (Apr–Oct: closed Mon; Nov– This region’s white wines are
Mar: open Sat & Sun), then explore the generally medium-dry and sprightly,
gardens (open daily) to find a large while reds such as Traminer and
Blau Spätburgunder tend to be
palm house and the Triton Gondola in aromatic. Although locally produced
which Augustus’ son cruised the Elbe. wines can be tasted in a Weinstube
ª Continue on north bank road to in Meissen, aficionados should
reach the main road and the B172 to visit the acclaimed Schloss
CRUISING THE ELBE Wackerbarth estate (open daily;
Pirna-Zentrum. In the town centre,
turn right following signs to Gross www.schloss-wackerbarth.de) in
River cruisers ply the Elbe three times a Radebul, near Dresden.
day, stopping at various destinations Sedlitz, and park at Barockgarten.
along the river. At Königstein, Kanu
Aktiv Tours (035021 59 99 60; www.
kanu-aktiv-tours.de) rents canoes
and kayaks. The modern cruisers of
Sachsische Dampschiffahrt (www.
saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de)
depart regularly on stately cruises up
the Elbe to Bad Schandau via all the
destinations included in this tour.
WHERE TO STAY IN PIRNA
Deutsches Haus moderate
Old-fashioned furnishings meet
modern, friendly service in this
small hotel installed in a Renaissance
courtyard residence. It makes a fine
base for visiting Dresden and Saxon
Switzerland and has a good restaurant.
Niedere Burgstrasse 1, 01796; 03501
468 80; www.romantikhotel-pirna.de
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150

120-121_175705_BR_GER.indd 120 18/07/16 12:15 pm
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