Hohnstein
Town in Saxony, Germany
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hohnstein (German pronunciation: [ˈhoːnˌʃtaɪn] ⓘ) is a town located in the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district of Saxony, in eastern Germany. As of 2020, its population numbered a total of 3,262.
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Hohnstein | |
|---|---|
General view of the town | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Hohnstein
within Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district | |
 Interactive map of Hohnstein | |
  Location within Germany  Location within Saxony | |
| Coordinates: 50°59′N 14°07′E | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Saxony |
| District | Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2022–29) | Daniel Brade[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 64.64 km2 (24.96 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 330 m (1,080 ft) |
| Population (2025-12-31)[3] | |
• Total | 3,076 |
| • Density | 47.59/km2 (123.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 01848 |
| Dialling codes | 035975 |
| Vehicle registration | PIR |
| Website | www.hohnstein.de |
Geography
It is situated in Saxon Switzerland, 12 km east of Pirna, and 28 km southeast of Dresden (centre). It is dominated by its castle, standing on a sandstone rock.
The municipal territory includes the villages (Ortsteile) of Cunnersdorf, Ehrenberg, Goßdorf, Lohsdorf, Rathewalde, Ulbersdorf and Waitzdorf.
History
In 1900, the town had a population of 1,321.[4]
During the German invasion of Poland at the start of World War II, in September 1939, the Oflag IV-A prisoner-of-war camp for Polish officers was established at the local castle, and from 1940 it also held French and Belgian officers and orderlies.[5] In 1941, the Oflag IV-A was dissolved, and the Stalag IV-A POW camp was relocated to Hohnstein from Elsterhorst.[5] It held Polish, French, British, Belgian, Serbian, Dutch, Soviet, Italian, American, Slovak, Czech and Bulgarian POWs, and was liberated by the Soviets in April 1945.[5]
Gallery
View of the town and the castle.
Town's church
Church in Rathewalde
The Amsel Falls near Rathewalde
Shelter on the Hockstein in the Saxon Switzerland National Park
