<strong>Scenic Goerlitz</strong>: The German city of Goerlitz is the country's easternmost city -- a picturesque metropolis home to beautiful, quirky buildings that might look familiar...
Scenic Goerlitz: The German city of Goerlitz is the country's easternmost city -- a picturesque metropolis home to beautiful, quirky buildings that might look familiar...
Europastadt GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
<strong>Movie magic:</strong> That's because Goerlitz has formed the backdrop to some of Hollywood's most beloved movies -- including Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel." The city's 1913 department store, pictured, played a prominent role in the 2014 movie.
Movie magic: That's because Goerlitz has formed the backdrop to some of Hollywood's most beloved movies -- including Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel." The city's 1913 department store, pictured, played a prominent role in the 2014 movie.
Courtes Kaufhaus Goerlitz Presse
<strong>Cinematic spots:</strong> This Art Nouveau building was one of the main sets for Wes Anderson's eponymous hotel. Goerlitz is home to buildings in a range of different architectural styles -- from Gothic to Art Deco.
Cinematic spots: This Art Nouveau building was one of the main sets for Wes Anderson's eponymous hotel. Goerlitz is home to buildings in a range of different architectural styles -- from Gothic to Art Deco.
JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Award-winner</strong>: Now Goerlitz has been recognized for its movie-making charms: the city has won an award for Best European Location in Cinema and TV, unveiled at the 10th Anniversary celebration of Filming Europe, the Association of European Film Commissions.
Award-winner: Now Goerlitz has been recognized for its movie-making charms: the city has won an award for Best European Location in Cinema and TV, unveiled at the 10th Anniversary celebration of Filming Europe, the Association of European Film Commissions.
Nikolai Schmidt/www.nikolaischmidt.de
<strong>"Crowning glory":</strong> Goerlitz beat off stiff competition including "Game of Thrones" locations in Croatia. "This is the crowning glory for our city," Siegfried Deinege, Mayor of Goerlitz tells CNN Travel.
"Crowning glory": Goerlitz beat off stiff competition including "Game of Thrones" locations in Croatia. "This is the crowning glory for our city," Siegfried Deinege, Mayor of Goerlitz tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy European City GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
<strong>Film-spotting</strong>: Alongside Wes Anderson's stylish film, Goerlitz can be spotted in the 2008 movie "The Reader" starring Kate Winslet, "Monuments Men" and "Inglorious Basterds," pictured here.
Film-spotting: Alongside Wes Anderson's stylish film, Goerlitz can be spotted in the 2008 movie "The Reader" starring Kate Winslet, "Monuments Men" and "Inglorious Basterds," pictured here.
Courtesy European City GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
<strong>New incentive:</strong> This new honor is exciting for the German town: "For us, this now is a huge incentive to be a high quality location for future productions, too. We are very happy and proud," adds the mayor.
New incentive: This new honor is exciting for the German town: "For us, this now is a huge incentive to be a high quality location for future productions, too. We are very happy and proud," adds the mayor.
Courtesy Sabine Wenzel
<strong>Historic monuments:</strong> Goerlitz has more than 4,000 buildings that are protected as historic monuments. It has stood in for other cities across the world.
Historic monuments: Goerlitz has more than 4,000 buildings that are protected as historic monuments. It has stood in for other cities across the world.
Courtesy Rainer Weisflog/www.rainer-weisflog.de/Weisflog
<strong>Natural scenery:</strong> It's not all cobbled streets and colorful houses. The dramatic Lake Berzdorf is situated near the southern border of Goerlitz.
Natural scenery: It's not all cobbled streets and colorful houses. The dramatic Lake Berzdorf is situated near the southern border of Goerlitz.
Courtesy Picasa
<strong>"Goerliwood"</strong>: Goerlitz's film streak has earned it the name "Goerliwood" -- thanks to its reputation in the cinema industry.
"Goerliwood": Goerlitz's film streak has earned it the name "Goerliwood" -- thanks to its reputation in the cinema industry.
Courtesy European City GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
<strong>Preserved city center:</strong> Unlike many European towns, Goerlitz survived the Second World War without too much bomb damage.
Preserved city center: Unlike many European towns, Goerlitz survived the Second World War without too much bomb damage.
Courtesy Moritz Kertzcher
<strong>Mysterious donation</strong>: In a plot twist worthy of a movie, in 1995 the city received an anonymous donation known as the "Old Town Million," which was given each year between 1995 and 2016 to support the restoration of the Old Town.
Mysterious donation: In a plot twist worthy of a movie, in 1995 the city received an anonymous donation known as the "Old Town Million," which was given each year between 1995 and 2016 to support the restoration of the Old Town.
Courtesy Rainer Weisflog/www.rainer-weisflog.de/Weisflog
<strong>Medieval metropolis:</strong> Goerlitz was once a medieval trading center -- and buildings exist from this period, including these buildings on the historic Untermarkt of Goerlitz.
Medieval metropolis: Goerlitz was once a medieval trading center -- and buildings exist from this period, including these buildings on the historic Untermarkt of Goerlitz.
Courtesy Rainer Weisflog/www.rainer-weisflog.de/Weisflog
<strong>Day trippers: </strong>Goerlitz is located in close proximity Prague, Wroclaw and Berlin -- all of which are reachable in a day trip.
Day trippers: Goerlitz is located in close proximity Prague, Wroclaw and Berlin -- all of which are reachable in a day trip.
Courtesy European City GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH
<strong>Cinema city: </strong>Goerlitz has acted as a film set since the 1950s -- Wes Anderson arrived in 2013, spending 40 days in Goerlitz shooting in the city.
Cinema city: Goerlitz has acted as a film set since the 1950s -- Wes Anderson arrived in 2013, spending 40 days in Goerlitz shooting in the city.
Courtesy Nikolai Schmidt/nikolaischmidt.de
<strong>Varied history:</strong> Goerlitz's trading history means it was once a center of commerce. It was the center of the Prussian Upper Lusatia and later the biggest city in Lower Silesia. It only became part of Germany post-World War II.
Varied history: Goerlitz's trading history means it was once a center of commerce. It was the center of the Prussian Upper Lusatia and later the biggest city in Lower Silesia. It only became part of Germany post-World War II.
Courtesy European City GörlitzZgorzelec GmbH"
<strong>Whimsical wonderings:</strong> Interest in Wes Anderson's "Grand Budapest Hotel" hasn't waned since its release in 2014. Many European travelers are on the hunt for buildings that share his whimsical aesthetic.
Whimsical wonderings: Interest in Wes Anderson's "Grand Budapest Hotel" hasn't waned since its release in 2014. Many European travelers are on the hunt for buildings that share his whimsical aesthetic.
Courtesy Nikolai Schmidt/nikolaischmidt.de
<strong>Movie moments</strong>: Time will tell which movies will take over Goerlitz's streets in the future, but it seems it won't be long the city has another starring role.
Movie moments: Time will tell which movies will take over Goerlitz's streets in the future, but it seems it won't be long the city has another starring role.
Courtesy Rainer Weisflog/www.rainer-weisflog.de/Weisflog