Discover Altdöbern: History and Lakes

Altdöbern combines a distinctive local history with opportunities by the water: the Protestant church on the market square was built in 1285, while paths and a natural swimming beach in the surrounding area offer different experiences by the lakes. The castle and park add a French-inspired garden from the Rococo-era renovation to the cultural picture. When planning your trip, it is worth treating these local cultural attractions and the destinations by the water as separate highlights.

Church, garden design and local history

Altdöbern’s Protestant church, built in 1285, stands on the market square. The garden at Altdöbern Castle and Park is another historical and cultural highlight. It was designed in the French style and dates from the period when Carl Heinrich von Heineken had the castle renovated in the Rococo style. The garden’s design is therefore associated with a clearly identified period and a specific person.

The history of swimming also has a precisely dated historical reference: in 1895, Altdöbern’s outdoor pool was established as a bathing facility for men. For culturally minded travelers, church architecture, garden design and the history of swimming are distinct themes to explore.

Circular route, beach and two lakes

In the immediate surroundings of Altdöbern, an approximately 10-kilometer paved circular route runs around Lake Gräbendorfer See. It is suitable for outdoor excursions by bicycle, inline skates or on foot. Its circular layout, paved surface and approximate length give the route a clear outline; you can choose how to get around according to your preferences.

On Altdöbern’s shore of the same lake, the natural swimming beach “Gräbendorfer Strand” invites you to swim and sunbathe. It is in the district of Reddern, outside the town of Altdöbern itself. The circular route and the beach thus offer two different ways to enjoy Lake Gräbendorfer See: a trip along the route or time by the water.

Altdöberner See is a different lake. Along its southern shore runs a paved LMBV service road, suitable for cycling and offering views of the lake. The lake is still undergoing mining remediation and is being flooded; conditions and access may change. If you plan to use the road, check current conditions before your visit. The circular route and natural swimming beach are at Lake Gräbendorfer See, whereas the service road runs along the southern shore of Altdöberner See.

Oberspreewald-Lausitz as a regional setting

The wider travel destination of Oberspreewald-Lausitz offers a broader perspective on hiking and cycling. There are hiking routes in Oberspreewald-Lausitz district ranging from 4 to 32 kilometers in length. Cycling routes start at 40 kilometers and include independent or guided multi-day tours with good opportunities to stop for a break or a meal. More than 580 kilometers of signposted cycle routes connect the regions between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Berge, and link southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. The region offers everything from hiking routes of varying lengths to cycling trips that can also span several days.

In the south of the district, the flooding of former open-cast mines is creating a waterside landscape with more than 20 artificial lakes: the Lusatian Lake District. Lübbenau/Spreewald’s historic old town, which includes a Neoclassical castle ensemble, adds a cultural highlight to Oberspreewald-Lausitz.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ruhland, Großräschen, Großkmehlen, Laasow, Luckaitztal, Lübbenau/Spreewald, Schwarzheide, Calau.

Go to the main travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.