Von Oschatz nach Zeithain und um die Gohrischheide

Historically interesting, varied circular route near Oschatz, Saxony. The nature reserve "Gorischheide und Elbniederterasse Zeithain" was established in 1993 in an unpopulated forest area. It comprises two sub-areas totalling 28.5 km². The area was used as a military training area until the withdrawal of Soviet troops from East Germany. The Zeithain site is closely linked to Saxony's military history. It began with the "Great Campement near Mühlberg", also known as the "Zeithain pleasure camp". This was a grandiose troop display by Augustus the Strong, where 27,000 men of the Saxon army gathered in the camp. From 1874, the site was used as a firing range by the Saxon army. The village of Gohrisch was bought by the German Reich in 1892. The inhabitants had to leave their homes. From then on, the houses in Gohrisch served as artillery targets. By the beginning of the 20th century, the military training area had grown to 4000 hectares and 140 buildings. Soldiers were trained on the military training area and went off to fight in the world wars from here. During the Second World War, the Stalag IVB prisoner of war camp was set up in the north of the site. Even after the Second World War, this was not the end of the story. The Stalag IVB prisoner of war camp now became Special Camp No. 1 of the Soviet NKVD. The world only learnt what happened here in the 1990s, when Moscow archives were partially opened. On the site, 6700 people were buried anonymously in mass graves. During the GDR era, people kept quiet about it. Today, the dead have a name and a dignified memorial. After the Second World War, the site was used by the National People's Army and the Red Army. In 1992, with the withdrawal of the Red Army, a new phase began for the Gohrischheide with the establishment of a nature reserve. There are still ammunition residues in the ground. For this reason, the nature reserve is largely closed to visitors. The Haidehäuser forest trail and the heath trail near Spansberg have been set up for nature lovers. There is also a viewing tower on the heath trail. The Gohrischheiderundweg is 45 kilometres long, well signposted and leads through a beautiful pond landscape in the east. Cyclists interested in history and nature lovers will get their money's worth on this route. Highlights of the circular route: - Varied landscape - Great views - Historically valuable