Ostritz

Ostritz (Upper Sorbian: Wostrowc) is a town in the district Görlitz, in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the border with Poland, on the left bank of the Lusatian Neisse, 16 km south of Görlitz.

Ostritz
St. Marienthal Abbey
Coat of arms
Location of Ostritz within Görlitz district
Ostritz Show map of Germany Ostritz Show map of Saxony
Coordinates: 51°0′53″N 14°55′56″E
Country	Germany
State	Saxony
District	Görlitz
Government
• Mayor	Marion Prange (Ind.)
Area
• Total	23.39 km2 (9.03 sq mi)
Elevation	207 m (679 ft)
Population  (2018-12-31)[1]
• Total	2,257
• Density	96/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	02899
Dialling codes	035823
Vehicle registration	GR, LÖB, NOL, NY, WSW, ZI
Website	www.ostritz.de

It was the scene of a small battle in the Seven Years' War, described in a contemporary journal as follows: On 31st December 1756 a picket of Prince Heinrich's Regiment under the command of Major Heinrich von Blumenthal, which had been sent out from Zittau to Ostritz, was attacked by 500 Croats who, notwithstanding their numerical superiority were thoroughly beaten off. The Croats got right into the town and set fire to some houses, but the fires were put out. The most serious loss on the Prussian side was the brave Major von Blumenthal, who fell right at the beginning of the action.

In recent years, the town has become known for its efforts in recycling and ecological renewable energy.[2]

It is also located next to the thirteenth century Cistercian nunnery, St. Marienthal Abbey,[3] which is still functioning.

One curious fact about the town is that due to territorial changes after the Second World War its railway station lies in the Polish village of Krzewina. It is part of the Görlitz-Zittau train line.