Historical sensational find: Struppen's true founding date revealed!

Historical sensational find: Struppen's true founding date revealed!

In the small but historic Struppen, a community in Saxon Switzerland, local chronicler Peter Henze has made a sensational historical find. According to the Saxon the history of the place will now shine in a new light. Until now, 1310 was considered the first documented year for Struppen, but new documents from the Weimar State Archives show that the place was first mentioned in 1275, with the name Ztrupin.

A knightly mansion in which the name Bertoldus des Strupin appears was now preserved through this find the previous year. Peter Henze, who has been meticulously dealing with the history of Struppen since 1985 and has already created over 50 folders with historical documents, was now able to publish this exciting discovery, which not only examines Struppen's past, but also enriches regional historical research.

The Chronicle of Struppen: A Treasure of History

But it's not just Henze who ensures that Struppen's past is not forgotten. The community's chronicle, compiled by Günter and Heidi Schweizer over 50 years, illuminates numerous aspects of Struppen's life and development. After Günter Schweizer's death in spring 2022, this chronicle was gradually handed over to the Pirna archive network. On January 8, 2024, Heidi Schweizer, who officially handed over the chronicle, emphasized the importance of this value, which District Administrator Michael Geisler also described as a “treasure” that should be accessible in the long term.

Günter Schweizer, known as a former amateur photographer, was elected local chronicler in 1971 and was supported in this role by the municipal administration at the time. His freedom to shape the chronicle according to his own ideas meant that until 2021 it contained comprehensive stories about Struppen Castle and the daily lives of the citizens.

Architectural treasures of Struppen

Struppen is not only important because of its history, but also offers impressive buildings through the List of cultural monuments in Struppen are documented. These include, among others:

• Dorfkirche und Kirchhof Struppen Kirchberg (Kernbau 2. Hälfte 13. Jh.)
• Schule Hauptstraße 48 (Baujahr bez. 1890)
• Mittelgasthof Hauptstraße 52 (Baujahr Ende 19. Jh.)
• Rittergut Kleinstruppen (Bauzeit 16.–19. Jh.)

These buildings are not only architectural but also cultural witnesses of bygone times that play an important role in the community's identity.

The continuous efforts of Peter Henze and other chroniclers as well as the historical preservation of these monuments underline the importance of Struppen in the regional history of Saxon Switzerland. Through such projects, their legacy remains alive and accessible for future generations, making Struppen a place where history remains tangible.