Admittedly, the architecture and nature in and around Berlin are undoubtedly impressive: from magnificent castles to crystal-clear lake landscapes and idyllic castle gardens —and the list goes on and on. When visiting some of these places, you sometimes feel as if you’ve been transported far away from the big city, almost as if you’re in a fairy-tale movie. But that’s far from all Germany has to offer when it comes to cinematic appeal. If you take the train a bit further out of Berlin, you’ll discover the country’s true Hollywood: Görlitz in Saxony, on the border with Poland, is one of Europe’s most important film locations and has more than earned the nickname “Görliwood.”
The city is often compared to a “Truman Show moment” because virtually every corner here looks as if it were staged—and that is no coincidence. Numerous international productions have been filmed here, including “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Book Thief,” “The Monuments Men,” “The Reader,” and “Inglourious Basterds.” What’s particularly fascinating is that Görlitz even served as a Sicilian village in “Inglourious Basterds”—the city can transform itself almost completely visually.
Görlitz’s greatest asset lies in its exceptionally well-preserved architecture. The city was barely damaged during World War II and today boasts over 4,000 listed buildings. Architectural styles such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau converge here, making the city appear like a perfectly preserved historical set . It feels as though time has stood still—as if you were walking through several centuries at once.
An absolute highlight is the Art Nouveau department store in Görlitz, which director Wes Anderson used as the central setting for “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” The huge hall with its glass roof, the opulent staircases, and the impressive chandeliers served as the hotel’s interior in the film—and continue to make the department store one of the city’s most iconic filming locations to this day.
Görlitz lies directly on the Neisse River and , together with the Polish city of Zgorzelec, forms a European city. The border can be easily crossed on foot, which gives the town a special international character. This connection between two cultures makes a visit all the more exciting and varied.
From Berlin, you can reach Görlitz in about 2.5 to 3 hours, even with the Deutschlandticket. That’s exactly why the city is considered the perfect destination for a day trip or a relaxing weekend away from the big city.
