Oschatz () is a town in the district Nordsachsen, in Saxony, Germany. It is located 60 km east of Leipzig and 60 km west of Dresden. Geography Site and climate Oschatz lies in the Saxon Lowland and is located on the river Döllnitz, which joins the river Elbe as a left tributary 15 km away near Riesa. Oschatz is situated near the forested regions of the Dahlener Heath as well as the Wermsdorf Forest and the Collmberg. Neighboring districts include: Liebschützberg, Strehla, Riesa, Stauchitz, Naundorf, Wermsdorf and Dahlen. The average air temperature in Oschatz is approximately 8.6 °C, the annual rainfall is about 570 millimeters. <div style="clear:left"> Subdistricts The administrative district of the town Oschatz also contains the following 14 townlands: History Early times to 18th century The area of the present-day town has been settled since Neolithic times. The name Oschatz derives from the Sorbian word for abatis. The first written mention was in 1200 as a name "Johannes de Ozzetz", however the association to Oschatz is uncertain. The first definite mention of the town dates from 1238, as Ozzechz is mentioned in a document from the Henry III, Margrave of Meißen. The oldest document found in the town archive is an indulgence letter from Bishop Conrad of Meißen, dated 1246. In 1344 the people's army The Geharnischten certified for the association of towns Oschatz, Torgau and Grimma, and a schoolmaster was employed in 1365. A fort in Oschatz was first mentioned in 1377, and a watch tower was erected at the site of the current museum. The town received market rights in 1394. The town hall was built in the Market Square in 1477. In 1478 the town was awarded its own jurisdiction by the local rulers. The current town hall was built between 1538 and 1546. During the Reformation Oschatz, like many towns in the region, turned Protestant. There are still letters from Luther, Melanchthon and Justus Jonas in the town archives. Plague killed 900 of 3000 inhabitants in 1566. Oschatz was scene of a witchcraft trial in 1583. Leonhard Sihra was convicted of sorcery and was hanged. In 1616 the town experienced a fire which destroyed 440 houses and storehouses. 19th century to modern times Population development Architecture and monuments Notable buildings: The 16th century town hall, rebuilt after the 1842 fire The 19th century neogothic St.-Aegidien-Kirche, with two 75 m high towers The 13th-15th century