Saxony’s Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine (Moravian Church) has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2024. It is now part of a transnational UNESCO site, which also includes Moravian settlements in the US, Denmark and Northern Ireland.
The Moravian Church, also known as Unitas Fratrum, is one of the earliest Protestant denominations and was founded in Herrnhut in 1722 by Protestant refugees from Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and Scandinavia. It is now known worldwide for its missionary work, simple way of life and “Daily Watchword”, an annual publication containing a selection of short bible verses for each day of the year.
Herrnhut, a small town in Upper Lusatia, approx. 62 miles east of Dresden, is not only the place where the Moravian Church was founded, but also an outstanding example of this religious community’s way of life. Today’s visitors can still trace Herrnhut’s unique and strictly symmetrical layout, with spacious squares and communal facilities. With the Moravian Church’s missionary activities, more than 30 settlements worldwide have been built according to the principles established in the Moravian mother community in Saxony.
Herrnhut is also known for the iconic “Herrnhut Star”, or “Moravian Star” in English, which is recognised worldwide as a symbol of this religious community. It originated over 180 years ago in Saxony and today, this unique 25-point star is considered the origin of all Christmas stars and has become a popular festive decoration around the world.
The Moravian Church settlement in Herrnhut joins Saxony’s existing UNESCO sites, “Muskau Park / Park Mużakowski” and “Ore Mountains / Krušnohoří Mining Region”, and offers visitors an interesting blend of history and culture to discover: Visit the towns Anthropology Museum, explore the historic buildings and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the symmetrically laid out Herrnhut settlement. You can also peek inside the factory where the Moravian Stars are to this day manufactured by hand or explore the surrounding Zittau Mountains. Be inspired by Herrnhut and its fascinating history and see (yet) another side of Saxony!