Lost in time Kömmlitz whispers secrets. This seemingly quiet village near Leipzig holds a rich history. Founded around 1350 as Kimelicz or Kemelwicz it changed hands many times. For centuries it was part of the Oelzschau manor. Then from 1681 to the late 18th century it belonged to the von Zehmen family. A manor house existed in Kömmlitz. It became an independent estate in 1764. Different families owned the estate. The von Hohenthals owned it around 1793. A Frau von Rex owned it between 1819 and 1844. In 1901 Marie Leonhardt owned it. In 1925 Arno Bose was the owner.
Kömmlitz’s church history is tied to Oelzschau. Unlike Oelzschau which was under the Leipzig district office Kömmlitz had a different governance. Until 1856 it belonged to the Electoral Saxon and later Royal Saxon office Borna. After that it was part of the Rothe court and then the Borna district office.
The fate of Kömmlitz took a turn in 1948. It was incorporated into Oelzschau. The 1952 district reorganization in East Germany placed Oelzschau including Kömmlitz under the Borna district in the Leipzig region. This remained until 1990 when it became part of the Saxon Borna district. Later it was incorporated into the Leipzig Land district and finally into the Leipzig district.
The planned expansion of the Espenhain opencast mine threatened Kömmlitz. The area around Oelzschau and Kömmlitz was targeted for lignite mining in 2010. The decline of the central German lignite industry after the 1989 political change saved Kömmlitz. The mine was gradually closed. This averted the village’s destruction.
On April 1 1996 Oelzschau including Kömmlitz became part of Espenhain. Finally on August 1 2015 they became part of Rötha. Now Oelzschau and Kömmlitz form the Oelzschau district of Rötha. Kömmlitz has not been a separate community since March 1 2011. This little village’s story is one of resilience. It survived changes in governance and narrowly avoided being lost to mining. Kömmlitz’s past echoes. The village continues to quietly exist within the greater tapestry of Leipzig’s history.