Pirna: Canalettoweg with Sonnenstein

The starting point is Pirna's market square with its richly decorated town houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. From here, the path leads through Kirchgasse. To the left is the late Gothic St. Mary's Church, whose construction began around 1500 and was completed in the early 16th century. The richly decorated entrance portal on the south side is particularly impressive.

At the end of the church square, you reach Niedere Burgstraße on the right. On the right is the Erlpeterbrunnen, a town fountain that was mentioned as early as 1384. Today's figure is a replica from 1908. Straight ahead you reach the street "Am Schlossberg". After a few meters, steps branch off to the left that lead up to the Schlossberg.

Sonnenstein Castle towers high above the town. Originally a medieval castle, it was converted into a Renaissance palace in the 16th century. From 1811, it served as the "Royal Saxon Sanatorium and Nursing Home" - one of the first modern psychiatric institutions in Europe. During the Nazi era, more than 13,700 people were murdered here as part of the so-called "Aktion T4". Today, the castle has been renovated and is home to the district administration; a memorial in one part of the building commemorates the victims. From the vantage points, there is a wide view over Pirna, reaching as far as Dresden on a clear day.

Back on the Am Schlossberg road, you now follow the Canalettoweg, marked with a red "C" on a yellow background and part of the 8th stage of the Malerweg. The path runs along the old fortress walls, with information boards explaining the history of the Sonnenstein.

After the descent, turn onto the road at the waterworks, keep right and then immediately left again, cross under the railroad line and reach the Elbe. Turn left and follow the riverside path down the Elbe.

Until the 19th century, the Pirna Elbe Gate, one of the medieval town gates, stood at the level of today's ferry landing stage. It served as a motif for Bernardo Bellotto (known as Canaletto) and Caspar David Friedrich.

At the ferry pier, turn left through the underpass. Grohmannstraße then leads to the Klosterhof with the StadtMuseum Pirna, which has temporary exhibitions. Past the museum, you return to Dohnaische Straße. At the corner, you will notice the Engelserker, a 17th century oriel decorated with figures, the current version of which dates from the 19th century. Here the path leads left into Lange Straße, then right into Badergasse, which leads directly back to the market square.