Wesenitz
Wesenitz | |
---|---|
Lausitzer Bergland | |
Mouth | |
• location | Elbe |
• coordinates | 50°57′49″N 13°53′39″E / 50.96361°N 13.89417°E |
Length | 83 km (52 mi) |
Basin features | |
Progression | Elbe→ North Sea |
The Wesenitz (Wjazońca in Upper Sorbian language) is a river in Saxony, Germany, a right tributary of the Elbe. Its total length is 83 km (52 mi). The Wesenitz runs through the tourist regions of the Lusatian Highlands and Saxon Switzerland. Its name is derived from the Sorbian language wjaz (Elm).[1]
Geography
The Wesenitz originates near Neukirch/Lausitz and flows southwest through Bischofswerda, passes Großdrebnitz, and flows through Stolpen and Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach. The Wesenitz joins the Elbe near Pirna.
Touristic attractions
The Stolpen Castle is officially documented for the first time in 1222, when it was a property of the Bishop of Dresden-Meissen. In 1559 it was handed over to Augustus, Elector of Saxony. The castle's fame originates from the period 1716 until 1765 when Augustus II the Strong imprisoned there his mistress Countess of Cosel.
The Liebethaler Grund, the "Gateway to Saxon Switzerland", is a picturesque ravine. Near a former hydropower station the world's biggest memorial to Richard Wagner can be visited.
Historical usage
Beginning with the
In 1895, 63 industrial plants made use of the water power, among them 44 mills.[3] Today, five such water mills can still be visited. One of them with two Francis turbines is operated by Lohmen in the Liebethaler Grund.
Fauna
With an average width of 10 m and an average slope of 0.53%, grayling resp. brown trouts are the leading species in the lower and middle part, resp. the upper part of the river Wesenitz.
Down from Helmsdorf, the river Wesenitz is protected according to the Habitats Directive,[4] referring to the appearance of European bullhead and common minnow. In 1994, the salmon was renaturalized.
The Wesenitz historically inhabited a large population of
See also
References
- ^ Jan Meschgang: Die Ortsnamen der Oberlausitz; Domowina Verlag, Bautzen 1973; page 97
- ^ Frank Fiedler. Historische Teichwirtschaft im Raum Bischofswerda. Zwischen Wesenitz und Löbauer Wasser 3. Heimatblätter des Landkreises Bautzen. pages 41-49, 1998
- ^ Bruno Steglich. Die Fischwässer im Königreiche Sachsen: Darstellung der gesammten sächsischen Fischereiverhältnisse, hrsg. vom Sächsischen Fischerei-Verein, bearbeitet von B. Steglich. Dresden Schönfeld in Komm., 1895
- ^ Nr. 162 in der Liste der FFH-Gebiete wegen gemeinschaftlicher Bedeutung für die EU gemäß Anhang II der EU Richtlinie 92/43/EWG
- ^ Frank Fiedler. Zum Vorkommen des Fischotters im Landkreis Bischofswerda. Ber. Naturforsch. Gesellschaft Oberlausitz, Görlitz. H. 2, pages 35-39, 1993