Journey with me back to a time long before the sprawling cityscape of Dresden existed as we know it. Ockerwitz, a quaint village nestled on the left bank of the Elbe River, whispers tales of a rich history. Ockerwitz first appeared in records around 1378. Its name, rooted in Slavic origins, hints at a settlement “at the edge,” perhaps referring to its location on the slopes descending into the Zschonergrund valley. Imagine Ockerwitz in the 12th century, a small, circular village, or “Rundling,” with its fields and homesteads. Perhaps the villagers gathered beneath the shade of a young linden tree, the ancestor of the magnificent Dorflinde that graces the village center today. This ancient tree, now a protected natural monument, has witnessed centuries of Ockerwitz’s history unfold. Over the years, Ockerwitz transformed from a farming community to a hub for market gardening and orchards. The Ockerwitzer Allee, once a simple coal road, now connects the village to the wider world. Despite the encroachment of Dresden, which annexed neighboring Omsewitz in 1930, Ockerwitz retained its independence. Even during the GDR era, the village maintained its separate identity, with a collectively-owned farm at its heart. Ockerwitz finally joined Gompitz in 1993, becoming part of Dresden in 1999. Today, Ockerwitz boasts a blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Its population has more than doubled since 1990. The village’s three-sided farmhouses, the 1999 community center, and the ever-present Dorflinde paint a picture of rural tranquility. But Ockerwitz holds more than just historical significance. Did you know that a special variety of walnut, the “Ockerwitzer Lange,” was discovered here around 1965? Thanks to the Dresden-Pilnitz Institute for Fruit Research, this large-fruited walnut gained recognition and a place in the official variety register. Ockerwitz is a testament to the enduring spirit of a small village, a place where history whispers through the leaves of ancient trees and echoes in the names of its streets.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to