Discover the Beauty and Arts of Görlitz – “Görliwood” on the Neisse
Get ready to explore the charm of Görlitz, the dramatic city on the River Neisse, famous for its more than 4,000 listed monuments and an architectural blend ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau. This unique mix has earned it the nickname “film city” or “Görliwood”, where streets and squares often feel like a ready-made movie set.
The Dicker Turm (“Fat Tower”) is a massive watchtower dating back to the 13th-century fortifications of the town.
Rising to about 46 metres, it offers a superb viewing platform: once you reach the top, you are rewarded with a panoramic view over the city and its richly decorated façades and rooftops.
Peterskirche is a masterpiece of Gothic and early Renaissance architecture.
Inside you will find:
magnificent ribbed vaults and altars,
finely crafted stained-glass windows,
twin spires reaching around 84 metres,
giving the church a powerful spiritual and architectural presence at the heart of the old town.
The Altstadtbrücke is a pedestrian bridge that takes you in just a few steps from the historic centre of Görlitz to the Polish town of Zgorzelec.
With its open, barrier-free design it has become a symbol of a borderless Europe.
Crossing it is a unique experience, as you literally walk between two cultures, two languages and two cityscapes that nevertheless share one history (community.ricksteves.com).
On the Obermarkt (Upper Market), the splendid Town Hall stands out with its Renaissance columns, arcades and richly decorated façades (expedia.com).
It forms the cultural and architectural heart of Görlitz:
a venue for festivals and markets,
a starting point for guided city tours,
and a favourite subject for lovers of architecture and photography.
Görlitz is known worldwide as “Görliwood” thanks to the many international film productions shot here.
Among them are:
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”, which used the historic department store and old town as its main backdrop,
“Inglourious Basterds”, and several other major films (cntraveler.com).
Walking through Görlitz often feels like stepping into a movie scene – every alley, square and façade could be a set.
Senckenberg Museum:
A natural history museum showcasing regional biodiversity, including animal and plant life as well as geological and palaeontological exhibits (de.wikipedia.org).
Görlitz Department Store (Kaufhaus Görlitz):
A stunning Art Nouveau department store, which has appeared in various film productions as a dream-like cinematic backdrop (en.wikipedia.org).
Its interior design, glass ceilings and galleries convey the atmosphere of a grand old-world shopping palace.
The Tierpark Görlitz-Zgorzelec is set in a natural, green environment and is home to around 115 animal species from Europe and Asia.
Visitors can enjoy:
walk-in enclosures,
interactive experiences especially for children,
educational programmes on nature and species conservation.
It’s a place where family outings turn into a mix of learning, discovery and fun.
The wider Lusatia (Lausitz) region around Görlitz offers a rich variety of landscapes and outdoor activities:
rock formations like the Nonnenfelsen,
hiking and cycling tracks leading into the Zittau Mountains,
rides on historic steam trains that add a sense of adventure to the journey (komoot.com).
This makes Görlitz an ideal base for combining city exploration with nature experiences.
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Ideal length of stay | 2–3 days: one day for towers, churches and squares; another for the border, film locations and nature |
| Best time to visit | April–October for pleasant weather and vibrant parks and gardens |
| Getting around | On foot within the city; by car, bike or regional train for rural trips |
| For photography lovers | Capture sunset from the tower, the iconic view of Peterskirche and the historic bridge reflected in the river |
Görlitz combines:
timeless architectural heritage,
a global cinematic identity as “Görliwood”,
a shared border location that seamlessly links two countries,
and rich natural and cultural experiences in the surrounding Lusatia region.
It is a journey that redefines history and the present in a single setting, offering a truly unique character: stories carved in stone, cinematic energy in the streets and the quiet beauty of parks and riverbanks – every corner has a story worth telling.
The team of writers and editors on this website strives to provide accurate information through careful research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may remain incomplete or not fully verified. Please treat the information in these articles as an initial reference only and always contact the relevant authorities for confirmed, official information.
