Perhaps F\u00fcrstenhain’s name evokes images of grand estates and royal forests. But the reality is far more humble and intriguing. F\u00fcrstenhain is one of Radebeul’s original communities in Saxony. It lies east of Altk\u00f6tzschenbroda’s Anger. It sits on the old road to Serkowitz. Today, the Radebeul district is part of the K\u00f6tzschenbroda region.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine converted Slavs renaming their former sacred grove. They called it F\u00fcrstenhain. This area also held the region’s court. It was known as Galgenberg. It was situated at the corner of today’s K\u00f6tzschenbrodaer Stra\u00dfe and Am Gottesacker.
Interestingly, a church visitation record from 1555 mentions F\u00fcrstenhain as a new village. It also mentions “ein neu Forwerg”. This refers to the original eight farms of today’s Vorwerkstra\u00dfe. But the record from 1539 does not mention F\u00fcrstenhain.
In 1401, Margrave Wilhelm I acquired K\u00f6tzschenbroda village. He also gained the old Vorwerk from the K\u00fcchemeisters.
The K\u00f6tzschenbroda Vorwerk was dissolved in the 16th century. This possibly occurred under Elector August. He dissolved 52 Vorwerks to create space for farmers and workers. Outside K\u00f6tzschenbroda, F\u00fcrstenhain emerged. It was a 150-meter-long village on four of the Vorwerk’s eight hides. This is today’s F\u00fcrstenhainer Stra\u00dfe. The land was not big enough for farms. So, cottagers, day laborers, and craftsmen settled on the 23 building sites. They lived along F\u00fcrstenhainer Stra\u00dfe and K\u00f6tzschenbrodaer Stra\u00dfe. In 1555, the village had 23 cottagers and 10 residents. It belonged to the K\u00f6tzschenbroda parish.
In 1648, a tailor’s house construction was denied in K\u00f6tzschenbroda. But Dresden’s council allowed him to build F\u00fcrstenhain’s 24th house. It was on a vineyard bought from Lotterin. This is today’s Auenweg 2. It later returned to K\u00f6tzschenbroda.
In 1748, F\u00fcrstenhain still had 23 cottagers. By 1816, it had 114 residents. In 1834, there were 192 residents. One was Catholic. On February 2, 1876, when it was incorporated into K\u00f6tzschenbroda, it had 285 residents.
F\u00fcrstenhain could not form its own council due to land regulations in 1838. So, in 1839, F\u00fcrstenhain agreed with K\u00f6tzschenbroda to jointly handle municipal matters. It gained a seat on K\u00f6tzschenbroda’s council. Thus, the municipal association of K\u00f6tzschenbroda with F\u00fcrstenhain was formed.
In 1871, Friedrich Gottfried Seyfried founded the L\u00f6\u00dfnitz Chapel. He was Frauenstein’s former town musician. This was the first professional band in the L\u00f6\u00dfnitz region. In 1876, F\u00fcrstenhain was incorporated into K\u00f6tzschenbroda. F\u00fcrstenhain was incorporated into Radebeul along with K\u00f6tzschenbroda in 1935.
Today, F\u00fcrstenhain mainly consists of F\u00fcrstenhainer Stra\u00dfe. It is about 160 meters long. It once had 19 cottager sites. There are also four properties on K\u00f6tzschenbrodaer Stra\u00dfe. The street branches off K\u00f6tzschenbrodaer Stra\u00dfe. It runs about 150 meters south. It meets Auenweg. Beyond lie the Elbe meadows. To the north, F\u00fcrstenhainer Stra\u00dfe continues as Hainstra\u00dfe. Its name also recalls the princely grove. The official dedication of today’s name occurred in 1905.
House numbers start at K\u00f6tzschenbrodaer Stra\u00dfe. Number 1 is on the west side. They run consecutively to number 10 at Auenweg. From number 11 on Auenweg, the numbers run on the east side. They end at number 19 on K\u00f6tzschenbrodaer Stra\u00dfe.
Two farmhouses stand on F\u00fcrstenhainer Stra\u00dfe. They are under monument protection. These are house numbers 4 and 9. Another one, number 8, was removed from the list. So, as you wander through this small area, remember its layers of history. From Slavic groves to industrious villagers. F\u00fcrstenhain is a testament to the ever-changing tapestry of time.