Ever wonder how Gornau got its start? It is a village nestled in the Erzgebirgskreis district in Saxony. Today, we will explore Gornau together.
Gornau sits about 15 kilometers southeast of Chemnitz. It is also about 3 kilometers from Zschopau. The village resides in a hollow, as the land rises on either side of the Gornau stream.
Originally, Gornau was known simply as “Gorn” in 1540. This name comes from an old Serbian term, “gorny”, meaning “mountainous”. Gornau’s history is a tale of growth and change. Its location on the old salt road played a big role. This road stretched from Hamburg to Trieste. It passed through major cities like Magdeburg, Leipzig, and Prague.
This crucial trade route brought progress to Gornau. It also brought hardship during times of war. In the mid-16th century, Gornau had 11 farmers, 7 smallholders, and 11 residents. By 1764, the village boasted 36 smallholder properties. This shows early industrial activity in Gornau.
Around the same time, the stocking industry took root. Gornau became the most industrialized village near Zschopau. Stocking production became the main source of income. New housing areas sprung up in the 1930s. After World War I, a sports field, hall, and swimming pool were built.
After the industry collapsed, Gornau saw a rise in service and trade businesses. Improvements to infrastructure boosted the village. New housing estates were built. A shopping center with a hardware store opened. Today, around 50 diverse businesses call Gornau home.
In 1994, Dittmannsdorf and Witzschdorf merged with Gornau. Each subdivision has its own unique story. Dittmannsdorf’s roots go back to the 12th century. In 1320, a Lord von Rechbergk sold Dittmannsdorf to the Chemnitz Benedictine monastery.
Witzschdorf was first mentioned in 1445 as Wiczdorff. The village sits on the eastern slope of the Zschopau valley. The Götzhöhe offers beautiful views. From there, you can see the Fichtelberg and Augustusburg.
Gornau has had its share of leaders. Nico Wollnitzke has been the mayor since 2015. Before him, Johanna Vogler held the office from 2001 to 2015.
The local council has 14 seats. The CDU holds eight seats. The Alliance of Free Voters has four seats. The Left and SPD each have one seat.
Gornau is twinned with Apensen in Lower Saxony and Ploërmel in France. This partnership began in 1990 and was formalized in 2003.
Gornau is more than just a village. It is a community with a rich history. From its early days as a Serbian settlement to its modern growth.