Unveiled details regarding the castle in Dresden's archaeological pathway

The picturesque town of Prohlis, Kauscha, and Nickern in Saxony, Germany, offers a unique opportunity for history enthusiasts to embark on an educational and captivating journey. The Archaeo-Pfad Dresden – Cultural Historical Circular Hiking Trail at the Geberbach, established in 2014, invites visitors to explore the rich heritage of these towns through a 12-kilometer trail.

The trail, created in close cooperation with the Prohlis district office, the Palitzsch Museum, the Prohlis Heimatverein e. V., and the Saxon State Office for Archaeology, features twelve info-steles that provide insightful information about archaeological objects excavated in Prohlis, Kauscha, and Nickern, as well as about events and witnesses of industrial history.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the trail is the search for the remnants of the neo-Renaissance Prohlis Castle, which was built in 1887/1888 on the order of Johann Christian Freiherr von Kapherr. The castle, unfortunately, burned down in 1980 and was demolished in 1985. Since 2021, around 25 school classes and many individuals have been participating in the museum pedagogical project "In Search of the Prohlis Castle" to uncover the buried structures under professional guidance.

The trail provides a quick chronological orientation through a timeline, offering visitors a glimpse into the town's past. Each info-stele stands independently topographically and content-wise, providing a comprehensive understanding of the area's history.

The trail passes through the areas of Prohlis, Kauscha, and Nickern, with the "Prohlis Grove" serving as a significant highlight. The grove, which is the remnant of the former castle park, was returned to the descendants of the last castle owner in the year 2000. Remains of a door, glass and ceramic fragments, cables, remains of a sign, an iron cover, a safe door, a heel, metal parts, a compass, stucco elements, and tiles from the castle's bathroom have been found within the grove.

Decisions about which pieces will be included in the collection of the Palitzsch Museum and which finds can be further processed in the JugendKunstschule in the Palitzschhof will be made with Moritz Freiherr von Crailsheim, the current owner of the property where the excavations are taking place.

Visitors can pick up an orientation plan for the Archaeo-Pfad Dresden at the info-points of the town halls and district offices, as well as at the Palitzsch Museum. The current owner of Prohlis Castle, however, is not explicitly stated in the available search results.

The trail offers a relaxing and informative journey through a diverse urban space, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the town's history. In 2023, the walls of the ground floor on the north side were uncovered, and a new info-stele about the castle and park has been added to the trail. The orientation plan for the Archaeo-Pfad Dresden is available in the form of a folding plan, which has appeared in its fourth updated edition in 2024.

Since its opening to visitors in May 2020, the Archaeo-Pfad Dresden in Prohlis has been a popular destination for history enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of archaeology, local history, and scenic beauty.