Oybin (Czech: Ojiv\u00edn or Ojv\u00edn) is a spa and tourist town in southeastern Saxony, in the G\u00f6rlitz district, near the border with the Czech Republic. The town is dominated by a massive sandstone table mountain featuring the ruins of the castle and monastery of the same name. <\/p>\n
Oybin (Castle) \u2013 The first records of the castle date back to the early 13th century. The Zittau region belonged to the Ronov family for many years. In 1290, \u010cen\u011bk of Ojv\u00edn is mentioned in documents from this area; it was not until 1319 that Jind\u0159ich of Lip\u00e1, a member of this family, ceded the entire territory, including Ojv\u00edn Castle, to King John of Luxembourg in exchange for lands in Moravia. In the 14th century, the castle was significantly rebuilt by his son, King Charles IV. The castle was his favorite residence, and, moreover, within sight of Zittau, it demonstrated the Czech monarch\u2019s power over the entire Zittau region. By decision of Charles IV, a Celestine monastery was later built here. The castle occupied a strategically important position on the trade route from Bohemia to Lusatia. Of the structures from the time of Charles IV, part of the imperial oratory\u2014the Chapel of St. Wenceslas\u2014and the church of the Celestine convent have survived. In 1429, it withstood an attack by the Hussites. <\/p>\n
\u2026Oybin is the terminus of the Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway, which is still operated by historic steam locomotives. The line begins in Zittau and has two branches, one of which ends in Oybin and the other in Jonsdorf <\/p>\n