Barrier-free route through Bautzen

Our route starts at the youth hostel "Gerberbastei". Leaving the youth hostel, we turn left onto the path "Am Zwinger" towards the Schülerturm and "Schülerstraße". Upon reaching "Schülerstraße", we turn right into it and continue until we reach the street "An den Fleischbänken". This section is 100 m long and must be traveled on the roadway if the narrow sidewalk is blocked by mobile obstacles (trash bins). Since the roadway consists of large-format natural stone paving, assistance is needed here.

Now we turn right onto the street "An den Fleischbänken" and shortly thereafter turn left onto "Kornstraße", which leads us to the main market. Here we find a variety of impressive, lovingly restored historic buildings as well as the tourist information center. The tourist information center is accessible barrier-free via a ramp and offers all the information you need as a visitor to Bautzen. Among other things, the tourist information also offers tours called "Bautzener Berührungspunkte" for the blind and visually impaired upon prior registration. In front of the building, there is also a 3D tactile model of Bautzen's old town to feel and explore.

After visiting the tourist information, we proceed via "Reichenstraße", where there are many shops and barrier-free accessible catering options, to the Reichenturm at the end of the street. Here we turn right onto the large open square, where there is a small playground and a fountain. Now we follow the next turn to the right into "Kesselstraße" and at the next intersection turn left onto "Theatergasse", which we follow until we reach the Kornmarkt Center.

You can either visit the Kornmarkt Center with its diverse shopping and various barrier-free snack and restaurant options or go directly through it and thus reach the street "Lauengraben" via a ramp. Turn right here and stay on the same side of the road, cross the pedestrian traffic light, and after 350 m arrive at the viewpoint from the Friedensbrücke overlooking the historic old town with the "Alte Wasserkunst".

At the viewpoint, we turn back and cross "Innere Lauenstraße" at the traffic light intersection and turn left into it. We follow the street for 250 m until we reach, on the left-hand side at the main market, the Bautz’ner mustard shop. Besides the lovingly designed sales area, there is also a small mustard museum.

Continuing along the street, we see the Cathedral of St. Peter, one of the few simultaneum churches in Germany. It has served both denominations as a place of worship since the Reformation and has a lively history to offer.

Through a tunnel under the row of houses at "Fleischmarkt", you reach the grounds of Ortenburg via the "Große Brüdergasse" and the "Burgplatz". Upon arrival at the Ortenburg grounds, we first stop at the Burghof restaurant for lunch.

The "Sorbisches Museum" is located in the Salzhaus on Ortenburg. With approximately 23,000 inventoried objects, it is the most important museum institution for the culture and history of the Sorbs. In the museum, you learn about the history and culture of the Slavic minority, the Sorbs, who have lived here for more than a thousand years. From traditional costumes and customs to modern art and music, the exhibitions and events have something to offer everyone.

We leave Ortenburg through the northern exit. Through the Matthias Tower, you pass through the single-person gate, which is very narrow with a passage width of 71 cm, into "Schloßstraße". In the summer season, the large gate is also open. Via "Schloßstraße" and through the alley "Nicolaipforte", and then through the Nicolai Tower, we return to the youth hostel "Gerberbastei", the starting point of our circular route.

An accompanying person for the wheelchair user would be advisable.

A4 motorway to exit Bautzen-West, then continue towards Bautzen city center, take the 3rd exit at the roundabout, then follow the signs towards Schützenplatzhalle, turn left behind the tax office and at the following intersection, then turn right before the Schülertor.

Public free parking spaces at the "Am Schützenplatz" parking lot.

In the city area, additional public paid parking spaces are available in parking lots and garages.

Train (DB) via Dresden or Görlitz to Bautzen (about a 20-minute walk from the station)

Alternatively, get off at the Bautzen Lauengraben bus stop

ZVON timetable information

Another tip for your next holiday day:

If you want to spend another day in this geographical area, a trip to the Dinosaur Park in Kleinwelka is also worthwhile.
It is with 16 hectares the largest dinosaur park in Germany. The unique facility in size and type lies between the Bautzen districts Kleinwelka and Großwelka. The park regularly takes a winter break from November to March. With over 200 dinosaurs and attractions from the climbing forest to the Galactic Nebula, this park certainly has something for every dinosaur-enthusiastic visitor!

Trails Disway

In the evening, a visit to the German-Sorbian People's Theater is recommended. 

Information on barrier-free access can be found here.

Critical points of the route:

Schülerstraße, start (GPS 51.182929 / 14.426047) to Schülerstraße, end (GPS 51.182035 / 14.425532)

- Sidewalk blocked with trash bins, alternatively must be ridden on the street (large-format natural stone paving)

Innere Lauenstraße / Friedensbrücke (GPS 51.179690 / 14.423613)
- 14% incline over 2 m, small-format natural stone paving

Innere Lauenstraße / Mühltorgasse (GPS 51.179999 / 14.423650)
- Dangerous spot with longitudinal and cross slopes - therefore better to use the eastern sidewalk from the beginning

Before Große Brüdergasse (GPS 51.182160 / 14.422980)
- Concrete paving, 14-16% slope over 4 m (after the house passage)

Große Brüdergasse, start (GPS 51.182147 / 14.422832) to Große Brüdergasse, end (GPS 51.182258 / 14.421759)
- large-format uneven natural stone paving

Burgplatz, start (GPS 51.182512 / 14.420688) to Burgplatz, end (Ortenburg) (GPS 51.182922 / 14.419964)
- 5-6% incline (natural stone paving) 

Gate in Matthias Tower (GPS 51.183351 / 14.421002)
- Single-person gate: Passage width 71 cm (large gate next to it is open in summer)

Nicolaipforte to Nicolai Tower (GPS 51.183356 / 14.422650)
- large-format uneven natural stone paving with 6% slope