Görlitz

Görlitz
Name	Görlitz
Coordinates	51, 09, N, 14...
State	Saxony
District	Görlitz
Elevation	199
Area	67.22
Population	55,519
Pop date	2022
Postal code	02826–02828
Area code	03581
Licence	GR
Website	www.goerlitz.de

Görlitz is the easternmost city in Germany, situated on the Lusatian Neisse river which forms the border with Poland. The city is the administrative seat of the district of Görlitz within the Free State of Saxony and is part of the historic region of Upper Lusatia. Known for its remarkably preserved Old Town with architecture spanning from the Gothic to Art Nouveau periods, it is often called "Görliwood" for its frequent use as a film location.

History

The settlement's origins trace back to a Slavic village, with the first documented mention as "Gorelic" in 1071. It received its town charter under Bohemian rule around 1303 and flourished as a member of the Lusatian League, a trading alliance. The city became part of the Habsburg lands of Bohemia after the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, and was later annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia in 1815 following the Congress of Vienna. Heavily industrialized in the 19th century, it was part of the Province of Silesia. After World War II, the Oder–Neisse line was established, dividing the city; the eastern part became Zgorzelec in Poland. It was part of the German Democratic Republic until German reunification in 1990, after which extensive restoration of its architectural heritage began.

Geography

The city is located in the eastern part of the Free State of Saxony, directly on the left bank of the Lusatian Neisse. The river forms the contemporary border with Poland, with the town of Zgorzelec situated on the opposite bank. The topography is characterized by the gentle hills of the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape biosphere reserve to the north and the foothills of the Lusatian Highlands to the south. The urban area includes several parks and the Landeskrone, a forested basalt hill offering panoramic views.

Demographics

As of the latest census, the population is approximately 55,000. Like many cities in eastern Germany, it experienced significant population decline after reunification, though this trend has stabilized in recent years. The population is predominantly German; however, there is a small but historic Sorbian minority in the surrounding region. A notable demographic feature is the city's aging population, a common challenge in the region. The division in 1945 resulted in a significant loss of its historical hinterland, impacting its demographic and economic structure.

Economy

Historically a center for textile manufacturing and railway engineering, the city's economy has transformed since 1990. Key modern sectors include solar energy technology, with companies like Solarwatt having a presence, automotive supply, and information technology. Tourism is a major growth industry, driven by the restored architectural heritage and its status as a popular film location for productions such as *The Grand Budapest Hotel*. The city also benefits from cross-border cooperation with Zgorzelec within the Euroregion Neisse.

Culture and sights

The city is renowned for its intact Old Town, featuring over 4,000 listed buildings. Major landmarks include the Church of St. Peter and Paul with its famous Sun Organ, the Görlitz Town Hall with its Renaissance clock, and the Holy Sepulchre, a replica of the Jerusalem original. The Schlesisches Museum zu Görlitz documents regional history, while the Art Nouveau department store Kaufhaus Görlitz is an architectural gem. The city hosts several festivals, including the Altstadtfest and the cross-border ViaThea street theatre festival.

Transport

The city is a regional transport hub, served by the Bundesautobahn 4 and several federal highways. Görlitz station is a stop on the Berlin–Görlitz railway line and offers direct connections to Dresden and Cottbus. The Neiße Bridge connects it to the Polish rail network via Zgorzelec. Local public transport is operated by Verkehrsgesellschaft Görlitz, providing a network of tram and bus lines. The nearest major international airport is Dresden Airport.

Category:Görlitz Category:Towns in Saxony