Herrnhut to Get a World Heritage Information Center

A World Heritage Information Center will open on Monday (June 29) in Herrnhut, in eastern Saxony. This is the “first step” toward a planned visitor center, said Konrad Fischer, director of the Office of Culture and Tourism. As part of the settlements of the Moravian Church, the small town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site just under two years ago. The town, located between Zittau and Löbau, shares the title with Christiansfeld in Denmark, Bethlehem in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, and Gracehill in Northern Ireland.

According to the city, interest in Herrnhut has noticeably increased since its recognition by UNESCO. Measurable visitor numbers—for example, at the local history museum and the tourist information office—rose by about 20 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. “It’s very international,” said Fischer. As examples of countries from which visitors came, he cited Poland, the Czech Republic, the U.S., as well as South Korea and Taiwan.

Central Information Point for Interested Visitors

The opening of a central information point in Herrnhut is certainly a response to this increased interest. “People need to be informed,” said Fischer. The new information center is located in the church hall, which is generally open during the day. According to reports, visitors can learn more there—among other things—about the World Heritage Site, the Moravian Church, and the history of the buildings via several bilingual information boards.

Herrnhut is the birthplace of the Evangelical Moravian Church, which spread throughout the world. Protestant religious refugees from Moravia had once sought refuge in Upper Lusatia and founded a new settlement there under the “Lord’s Protection.” Missionaries later carried the plans for the settlement’s architecture to other countries. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the quartet represents a global network of religious planned cities that were established between 1722 and 1808.