From Weesenstein Castle via the Planet Trail along the Müglitz to Köttewitz and back again
Take a deep breath and find peace: What a healing effect well-tended parks and gardens have on us! There are several of them in Saxon Switzerland. A hidden gem is the park of Weesenstein Castle in the Müglitz Valley. This jewel of historical garden culture is also the starting and ending point of the Weesenstein circular path and, with a running time of 1.5 hours, is ideally suited for a relaxing walk.
From Weesenstein Castle, the path first leads along the Planetenweg (Planet Path), always alongside the Müglitz River. There are interesting information boards about the planets at regular intervals. A short distance after crossing the level crossing, the path continues to the right into a valley up to Köttewitz. After a short stretch through the small village, past beautiful gardens, the path continues along a field path to a small wood. The subsequent descent back to Weesenstein Castle offers wonderful views down into the valley to the picturesque park.
At the end of the tour, of course, a visit to these grounds is not to be missed. Weesenstein Palace Park is not the product of a single, absolutist stroke of genius - as was the case with the garden artwork in Grosssedlitz - but of a long development spanning several centuries. Since the course of the Müglitz was changed in the meantime, the grounds have since been divided into a Small and a Large Palace Park. A bridge with King Johann's monogram connects the two parts. In the Small Palace Park, benches around a fountain and in a rhododendron grove invite visitors to linger. The Great Palace Park is characterised by avenues and an arcade leading to a pavilion. Eye-catchers are a statue of Flora, the goddess of flowers, and a marble column commemorating the golden wedding anniversary of King John and Queen Amalie Augusta.
