Moritzburg Pond District – charming woodlands and lakes

Embedded in the woodland and pond landscape of Friedewald Forest, Moritzburg is located only 12 kilometres away from Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Previously called Eisenberg, the place was named after Moritzburg Castle in 1934.

The Moritzburg Pond District today includes more than 20 ponds. They owe their existence to Duke George the Bearded and the far-seeing plans of the Wettin dynasty around 1500. Through the establishment of a whole system of ponds and canals, the Freidewald marshes were drained. This interference with nature was the origin of the Moritzburg pond scenery.

The so-called "Heaven Ponds", then as now, relied to a large extend on rainwater filling them. The resulting symbiosis of landscaping work and its economic utilisation was not a matter of chance.

The major feature was fishing and pond management. For centuries the royal court enjoyed the privileges connected with the annual fishing and eating of carp. This pleasure began to be shared by the general public only towards the end of the 19th century. The tradition is still very much alive and thousands of people flock to watch the fishing and participate in the animated market at the end of October.

More information:

Tourist-Information Moritzburg
Schlossallee 3b
01468 Moritzburg
Phone: +49 35207/ 8540
touristinformation-moritzburg@gmx.de
www.moritzburg.de