From Weesenstein Castle via the Planet Trail along the Müglitz to Köttewitz and back again
Take a deep breath and calm down: What a healing effect well-tended parks and gardens have on us! There are several of them in Saxon Switzerland. One hidden gem is the park at Weesenstein Castle in the Müglitz Valley. This gem of historical garden culture is both the start and end point of the Weesenstein circular trail and, with a walking time of 1.5 hours, is ideal for a relaxing stroll.
From Weesenstein Castle, the trail initially leads along the Planet Trail, always alongside the Müglitz. There are interesting information boards about the planets at regular intervals. A little way after you have crossed the level crossing, the path continues to the right into the ground up to Köttewitz. After a short stretch through the small village, past beautiful gardens, the trail 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 circular route, a visit to this park is of course a must. Weesenstein Castle Park is not the product of a single, absolutist stroke of genius - as is the case with the garden artwork in Großsedlitz - but of a long development spanning several centuries. As the course of the Müglitz has been altered 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. Benches around a fountain and in a rhododendron grove invite visitors to linger in the Small Palace Park. The large palace park is characterized by avenues and an arcade leading to a pavilion. Eye-catchers include a statue of Flora, the goddess of flowers, and a marble column commemorating the golden wedding anniversary of King John and Queen Amalie Augustus.
