Geo-route Rochlitz – Fischheim – Seelitz – Rochlitz

The route begins in Rochlitz at St. Peter’s Church. The church was first mentioned as the parish church of Rochlitz in 1186. The adjacent Mühlplatz 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 fortress, first mentioned in 1009 AD, into a castle. Construction phases occurred repeatedly until the 16th century, so various architectural styles can be recognized.

Through the forester’s lodge, the path goes through the castle meadow to the Mordgrund. This somewhat 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 Mordgrundbach stream, the path directly follows the course of the Zwickauer Mulde and passes the Katzenstein, a granite rock that steeply drops to the Zwickauer Mulde.

Following the path further, you reach Sörnzig. The name, which comes from Sorbian, means roughly "millstone cutters": the nearby Rochlitzer Berg was an important quarry, and the earliest quarry owners were from Sörnzig (Emil Oswald Gleisberg).

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

Fischheim, founded in 1378, got its name from the then-common Mulde fishing. The atonement cross belongs to Fischheim’s cultural monuments: after the swinging footbridge, it is located on the left. The cross, made of Rochlitzer Porphyry Tuff, points to a church penalty where a convicted murderer had to erect the cross at the site of the crime. Two more such crosses can be found in the region.

Following the road north, you reach Steudten; before Biesern, turn right into Biesener Straße. After about 800m, a small path goes right, leading to the historic St. Johannes mine tunnel, a silver mine from the 15th century. The mine was in operation until the 18th century. Today, the tunnel is accessible as part of guided tours.

Further south, you reach the Alten Bruch Zöllnitz. Via Kolkauer Straße, you now get to Seelitz. The parsonage is considered one of the most beautiful churches made from local Rochlitz Porphyry Tuff.

Near the entrance to Seelitz, another atonement cross can be found. Following the path northwest, you come to the Biesern sand pit, where after the end of mining, a lake of 16 hectares was created. Along the northern shore, the path continues to Zaßnitz, where the Zaßnitz suspension bridge crosses the Zwickauer Mulde back to Rochlitz.

A4: Exit Chemnitz-East, continue via B107

A17: Exit Döbeln-North, continue via B169 and B175

A72: Exit Rochlitz, continue via B175

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

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