The Lößnitzgrund and its history

Already in the Middle Ages, the narrow valley, which rises steeply on both sides, was economically important as the location of several mills, with the miller's trade being one of the oldest trades in the Lößnitz. For example, the Grundmühle, the Carlowitz or Böhnitzmühle, the Meierei, the Jägermühle, the Schefflermühle and the Kaisermühle all settled in the Lößnitzgrund. In the 19th and 20th centuries, several syenite quarries were therefore operated in the Lößnitzgrund and its side valleys, including the Dorfgrund and Rieselgrund. The most prominent of these was the so-called Hohe Stein (High Stone) above the electricity plant built in 1895. South of the village grounds, the so-called Todhübel (222.5 m above sea level) rises abruptly and steeply on the eastern slope. Despite the lack of building remains, a man-made ditch several metres deep and isolated sherd finds (14th/15th century) suggest that a medieval fortification may have been located here.

The hiking trails laid out by the "Verschönerungsverein für die Lößnitz" (Beautification Association for the Lößnitz) from 1880 onwards gave the starting signal for the establishment of the Lößnitzgrund as one of the most popular excursion destinations for the inhabitants of the Lößnitz and its neighbours in the surrounding area of Dresden or Moritzburg. A short time later, this recreational area was easily accessible for visitors with the narrow-gauge railway built in 1883/84; even today, the "Lößnitzdackel" connects the two railway stations Radeburg and Radebeul Ost. The shady trees and the lively gurgling of the Lößnitzbach stream were enjoyed here not only by the heat-loving guests of the Bilz baths built in 1905. The former mills were transformed into favourite excursion inns for convivial music and dancing as well as culinary delights. The classic walk leads from the Grundmühle via the Flora fruit wine tavern, the Meierei, and the Friedewald Kurhaus to the Kaisermühle. But the meadow also offers hiking enthusiasts delightful opportunities for a relaxing excursion in the natural kingdom. The part of the nature trail leading from Radebeul-Lindenau through the Lößnitzgrund, which was signposted in 1973, was renovated in 1992/94 by pupils of the "Luisenstift" grammar school. Other popular hiking routes include the Schluchtenweg (gorge trail) to Oberkötzschenbroda, the Dreizehn-Brücken-Weg (thirteen bridges trail) along the Lindenaubach stream to Lindenau, and the water-rich Rieselgrund (historically also known as Riesengrund or Rosengrund), whose springs, tapped by pipelines, were used for centuries to irrigate the vineyards of Lößnitz, to Wahnsdorf. Most recently, in 2016, on the initiative of the Bilz Association, the Bilz Circular Trail leading partly through the Lößnitzgrund was redesigned to invite hikers to experience light, air and water in the Bilzian sense. For its visitors still appreciate the cool, quiet and relaxing environment of the Lößnitzgrund for refreshment and recreation.