Geo route Rochlitz – Fischheim – Seelitz – Rochlitz

The route begins in Rochlitz at St. Peter's Church. The church is mentioned as the parish church of Rochlitz as early as 1186. The adjacent mill square probably already had a market function during the time of Slavic settlement and was first documented as "Mühlplan" in 1538.

Only 100m west of the church lies Rochlitz Castle. It was built in the 14th century by converting the Rochlitz castle first mentioned in 1009 AD into a castle. There were repeated construction phases until the 16th century, so various architectural styles can be recognized.

Through the forester's lodge, the route continues through the castle meadow to Mordgrund. This martial-sounding name probably refers to the term "Mord" or "Mard" for the polecat. Several benches invite you to take a break here.

After crossing the Mordgrund stream, the path follows directly the course of the Zwickauer Mulde and passes by Katzenstein, a granite rock that falls steeply to the Zwickauer Mulde.

Continuing along the path, you reach Sörnzig. The name, derived from Sorbian, means something like "millstone cutter": the nearby Rochlitzer Berg was an important quarry, and the earliest quarry owners were from Sörnzig (Emil Oswald Gleisberg).

The swing bridge crosses the Zwickauer Mulde and connects the districts Sörnzig and Fischheim. The first bridge was built here in 1871 but was repeatedly destroyed by frequent floods. After the floods in 1954 and 2013, the bridge was extensively renovated and now stands as a steel structure on concrete blocks.

Founded in 1378, Fischheim got its name from the once widespread fishing on the Mulde. The atonement cross belongs to the cultural monuments of Fischheim: it is located to the left after the swing bridge. The cross made of Rochlitzer Porphyry Tuff refers to a church penalty, where the convicted murderer had to erect the cross at the place of the crime. Two other such crosses can be found in the region.

Following the road north, you pass through Steudten; before Biesern, turn right into Bieserner Straße. After about 800m, a small path branches off to the right, which leads via a small detour to the historic St. Johannes tunnel, a silver mine from the 15th century. The mine remained in operation until the 18th century. Today, the tunnel is accessible as part of guided tours.

Further south, you also reach the Old Bruch Zöllnitz. Via Kolkauer Straße, you now reach Seelitz. The rectory is considered one of the most beautiful churches made of the local Rochlitzer Porphyry Tuff.

Near the entrance to Seelitz, there is another atonement cross. Following the path northwest, you come to the Biesern sand pit, where a 16-hectare lake was formed after the end of mining. Along the north shore, the path continues to Zaßnitz, where the Zaßnitz suspension bridge crosses the Zwickauer Mulde back to Rochlitz.

https://www.rochlitzer-muldental.de/

https://www.geopark-porphyrland.de/