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Böhmischer Steig (Bohemian Track)
image author: Jürgen Bollmann
The Bohemian Track is one of the oldest transport connections between the Oberlausitz and Bohemia. It ran from Bautzen via Obergurig, Kirschau, Schirgiswalde and Sohland into Bohemian land, there known as "Alte Prager Straße", then further via Schluckenau (Sluknov), Rumburg (Rumburk) St. Georgenthal (Jiretin pod Jedlovou) to Böhmisch Leipa (Ceska Lipa) and finally to Prague.
image author: Jürgen Bollmann
The track crossed here in Schirgiswalde in a ford the Spree already in the 11th century. Flats and rocky underground turned a Spree crossing for every waggoner into a test of courage. Vehicles were broken frequently so that wainwright and forger were very busy.
Schirgiswalde itself was only founded in the late 13th century by Frankonian settlers and belonged since the 15th century to Bohemia's crown. The village, elevated to a toen in 1665, was only handed over to the kingdom Saxony in 1845. Schirgiswalde held the status of a 'Free Republic' from 1809 to 1845. During this time numerous low-lives found here boltholes like the Bohemian villain Wenzel Kummer but also smuggler and deserters.
The trade blossomed because goods could be brought in and stored duty-free. Schirgiswalde's long-time affiliation to Bohemia is still present in the catholic parish church, wayside crosses, the Christmas catholic parish church, wayside crosses, Christmas cribs manufactured in Bohemian tradition as well as the local dialect accent.
image author: Jürgen Bollmann
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Jürgen Bollmann
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