The XXVI. Spectaculum Citaviae will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 under the theme “Majestic Zittau”.
It was the year 1526 when Zittau fell under Habsburg rule, Ferdinand I inherited the Bohemian crown, and thus, rule over Upper Lusatia. 500 eventful years have passed since then. 1586 saw the inauguration of the “Old Gymnasium,” where graduates were to receive a masterly education. The founder was the famous Nicolaus von Dornspach, who promoted the humanistic style of education in Zittau. 680 years ago, in 1346, the Upper Lusatian League of Six Towns was founded, consisting of the cities of Zittau, Görlitz, Bautzen, Löbau, Kamenz, and Lauban. The Bohemian King and later Emperor Charles IV even promoted this league. Whether he and the cities had the idea for it is not documented.
What is documented, however, is that Zittau knows how to celebrate majestically,
with maid and lad, woman and man,
with mayors from near and far,
with their entourage, the councilors,
boisterous with food and drink…
