Ever wonder how Pirna managed to save its historic buildings? Extensive urban redevelopment started in 1990. This saved Pirna’s old town buildings.
Let’s explore Pirna’s story. It begins in 1233. That’s when Pirna was first referenced. Pirna gained town privileges in 1245. The Margrave of Meißen then ruled Pirna.
Pirna became part of Bohemia in 1293. Around 1300, a Dominican monastery was established here in Pirna. King John of Bohemia renewed Pirna’s town privileges in 1325.
Pirna became part of the Margravate of Meißen in 1404/05. This occurred during the Dohna Feud. The Electorate of Meißen followed in 1423. Johann Tetzel was born in Pirna around 1465. He was a Dominican friar and preacher.
The St. Marien church was built from 1502 to 1546. This church exemplifies late Gothic religious architecture. The Reformation then reached Pirna in 1539. Over 2,000 Protestant refugees came to Pirna in 1629. They were fleeing recatholisation in Bohemia. Disaster struck Pirna in 1639. Swedish soldiers conquered the town.
Johann Heinrich Stremel established a printing works in Pirna in 1679. The grand wedding of the Elector and Maria Josepha began in Pirna in 1719. Maria Josepha was the daughter of the Austrian Emperor. Bernardo Bellotto painted eleven large vedute of Pirna in 1753/55. He was also known as Canaletto.
The Sonnenstein Royal Saxon mental home and care facility opened in 1811. Napoleon I visited Pirna in 1813. He reopened Sonnenstein as a castle. The railway line from Dresden to Pirna opened on July 31, 1848. The first bridge over the Elbe was completed in 1875.
The town grew larger as industry developed in the late 19th century. The population increased and the garrison expanded. Copitz was incorporated in 1923. Other towns followed.
13,720 mentally ill patients were murdered at the Sonnenstein Euthanasia Centre in 1940/41. At least 1,031 prisoners also died there. Pirna was bombed on April 19, 1945. At least 203 people were killed.
Large-scale prefab housing was constructed from 1965 to 1983. This formed the Sonnenstein residential estate. There was also a mass influx due to Wismut uranium mining. The old town was neglected.
Extensive urban redevelopment began in 1990. This saved the historical buildings in the old town. Pirna became a major district town in 1997. The second bridge over the Elbe officially opened in 1999. It’s called Sachsenbrücke.
Major flooding caused damage in 2002. The Elbe broke its banks in August. Pirna connected to the A17 motorway in 2005. Construction began on the S172 bypass south of Pirna in 2017. This moved traffic away from the city centre.
Pirna stands as a testament to resilience. It has overcome war and neglect. Now Pirna showcases its history. The city welcomes visitors to experience its unique charm.