Zittau

Zittau is a town in Saxony, located in the far east of Germany within the Dreiländereck, the point where Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic meet. The town is known for its large Lenten veils (Große Zittauer Fastentücher), historic painted cloths displayed at the local museum and considered rare examples of their kind in Europe. The old town retains a neo-Renaissance town hall and several religious buildings, including St John's Church. Zittau also serves as the starting point for the narrow-gauge steam railway (Zittauer Schmalspurbahn), which links the town to the villages of Oybin and Jonsdorf at the foot of the Zittau Mountains (Zittauer Gebirge). This low mountain range, formed of sandstone rock, appeals to hikers thanks to its marked trails, rock formations and viewpoints over the three neighbouring countries. The surrounding region offers a peaceful setting suited to nature-based stays, with a continental climate marked by cool winters and mild summers, typical of eastern Saxony.