Schönfeld/Schullwitz

Whispers of “Schalewicz” drift through time, carrying us back to 1378. This marks the first documented mention of Schullwitz, a name echoing its Slavic origins. Schullwitz, nestled in the eastern embrace of Dresden, Germany, holds a captivating history. Today, Schullwitz is a quaint district within Dresden. It is part of the Schönfeld-Weißig borough, a region known as the Schönfeld Highlands. Schullwitz boasts a distinctly rural charm, with historic farmhouses dotting its core along Bühlauer Straße. Surrounding this tranquil village are expansive agricultural lands, painting a picture of pastoral serenity. Schullwitz stands as one of Dresden’s highest points. South of the village, the terrain rises to over 380 meters above sea level at Triebenberg. This dramatic elevation contrasts sharply with the Elbe River valley below. The very ground beneath Schullwitz tells a tale of the Elster Ice Age. Sands deposited during this period form the foundation of the area. Uniquely, north of Schullwitz lie Cenomanian deposits, a geological rarity north of the Lusatian Fault. This fault line runs south of Schullwitz, shaping the landscape alongside the Dresden Elbe slopes. The Schullwitzbach, a small stream that lends its name to the village, meanders through Schullwitz. It eventually flows into the Wesenitz River in Dittersbach, contributing to the area’s unique hydrology. Characterized by a gentle slope and wide floodplains, the Schullwitzbach is often built up to its banks. This construction, while picturesque, has led to significant flood damage in the past, most notably during the 2002 flood. Within the village, the Schullwitzbach expands into several ponds, including the Dorf, Schul, Mühl, and Nixenteich. The Nixenteich, spanning 1.2 hectares, is a protected natural monument. Its rich ecosystem includes wetlands, reed beds, and serves as a spawning ground for amphibians and a breeding haven for various water birds. Life in Schullwitz is a testament to its rich past. The Luther Oak, planted in 1883 to commemorate the 400th birthday of Martin Luther, stands proudly in the village center. The old school building, erected between 1897 and 1898, now houses a daycare center and library, thanks to a renovation in 2005. This building is a lasting tribute to Gottlieb Traugott Bienert, a Dresden mill owner born in nearby Eschdorf. His wife, Christiane, hailed from Schullwitz. The village’s connection to the broader region is evident in its network of roads and public transport. Bühlauer Straße, the main artery, connects Schullwitz to Eschdorf and Malschendorf. The remnants of the old Dresden-Bautzen highway can still be found north of Schullwitz in the form of Alte Hornstraße. Even the abandoned railway line between Dürrröhrsdorf and Weißig has left its mark, with Alter Bahndamm following the former track bed.