The Church of Our Lady in Pirna is one of the largest late-Gothic hall churches in Saxony, and a true hidden gem in the heart of the Saxon Switzerland region. Whether you are exploring the old town between hikes or simply passing through, this magnificent building is well worth stepping inside.

The three-aisled interior stretches 65 metres in length and 35 metres in width, supported by eight slender octagonal pillars that draw the eye upward to remarkable vaulted ceilings. The vault paintings from 1546 are full of character — biblical scenes, allegories of virtues, and curious motifs such as boys battling storks. The atmosphere is calm and quietly awe-inspiring throughout the year, whether bathed in summer light or wrapped in winter stillness.

• Pirna town centre / Kirchplatz 14 — the church sits in the heart of the old town, just a few minutes' walk from the main market square and the railway station. Easily accessible on foot for all visitors.

• Address: Kirchplatz 14, Pirna — in the historic old town centre.
• The building is a listed heritage monument.
• The organ dates from 1842 and the baptismal font base from 1561.
• The seven-bell peal is the only one of its kind in the Saxon State Church.

Look closely at the vault paintings and you will spot Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon portrayed as the Evangelists Luke and Mark — a fascinating reminder of Pirna's role in the early Reformation.