Liegauer Saugarten

Deep within Dresden’s sprawling Heide forest, a forgotten tale lies dormant. This tale speaks of the Liegauer Saugarten, a relic of a bygone era. Liegauer Saugarten was not always a tranquil space. It once pulsed with the energy of wild boars, held captive for the amusement of Saxon royalty. In the 18th century, the original Dresden Saugarten, the oldest of the four such enclosures in the Heide, proved too small. Thus, the approximately one-hectare Liegauer Saugarten was born. Nestled between the “Kuhschwanz” and “Unterringel” forest paths, it served as a holding pen for these spirited creatures. Imagine the snorting and shuffling of the boars, their dark shapes moving restlessly within the confines of the Saugarten. The boars, captured from the surrounding woods, were destined for a dramatic fate. They were released for the lavish hunts orchestrated by the court. These hunts, a spectacle of aristocratic life, played out against the backdrop of the Heide’s ancient trees. Liegauer Saugarten, positioned just south of Liegau-Augustusbad, lay on the city’s edge but firmly within Dresden’s territory. By 1876, the Saugarten’s purpose had faded, its walls dismantled. Today, only fragments of those walls remain, whispering of the past. A memorial stone and a small rest area mark the spot. They stand as quiet witnesses to the Liegauer Saugarten’s vibrant history. They serve as a reminder of a time when the thrill of the hunt echoed through these woods.