Żytawa is a town on the German-Polish-Czech border, at the foot of the picturesque Zittau Mountains. Nice buildings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century have been preserved here, and the city is also famous for having one of the best-preserved Lenten Veils in Europe.
From the beginning of its existence, Zittau was a border town, which changed hands many times and changed its nationality. Due to its location, it was also an important trade center, and from the 17th century, the weaving industry began to develop here. The city center has retained its original layout with a large market square and surrounding historic buildings.
The center of Zittau is a large square with a neo-Renaissance town hall building. It is surrounded by houses from various eras, including the oldest pharmacy in the city, a former inn and burgher houses. On the square, as in other parts of the Old Town, you can also see several historic fountains.
A valuable architectural monument is the Church of St. Cross. Next to it, you can visit the Museum of the Church of the Holy Cross, which presents the biggest attraction of Zittau, dating back to the 16th century. The Lenten Veil depicting 90 scenes from the History of Salvation. In the past, it was hung in front of the altar during Lent so that it was invisible to the faithful.
The sixteenth century salt chamber building, the classicist Church of St. John and the monastery church. You can learn about the history of Zittau in the City Museum, and the Zittau Zoo is an attraction for the whole family.
