Europe Trip 2018 - Görlitz/Zgorzelec, Germany/Poland

This was one city until 1945. Then it became two. On the west side of the Lusatian Neisse river, Görlitz is a German city of 56,000 people. On the east side, Zgorzelec is a Polish city of 32,000 people. In 2007 Poland became part of the Schengen Area, which means there are no border checks here - you can freely explore the cities on both sides of the border.

Old map of the city shows that it was situated mainly on the western bank of Lusatian Neisse

Polish side, the white and red border pole.

One of two bridges joining the cities. A view towards the Polish side.

Same bridge, seen from further away

German side, a bit empty at 7:30pm on a Saturday

There is more people near the Old Town Hall. How many clocks does it have?

Reichenbacher Turm, built some time before 1376

Despite small population Görlitz has two tram lines 13.6km long. It had 5 lines at peak in 1939. It uses narrow gauge (1000mm) tracks, 600V power, 17 Czech Tatra KT4D trams.  

Such fruit and vegetable stands can be found in many German cities

The building that lets active traffic through. Active transport is the one where you use your legs to move: walking, riding a bicycle :-)

A shortcut for pedestrians and bicycles. Not all buildings have been renovated yet.

Built 1550. Astronomical diagrams on the wall.

Built in 1528