Discover Calau: Humour, Churches and Trails

Calau can be explored through a variety of themes: the Joke Trail adds a light-hearted touch, half-timbered houses and churches tell the story of the town, and a 14-kilometre cycling and hiking route leads from the railway station towards Plieskendorf. There is also the seasonal outdoor swimming pool. You can tailor your stay to culture, outdoor activities or a day at the pool, and look for accommodation in Calau that suits your travel plans.

The Joke Trail and the Town’s History

The town of Calau opened the Joke Trail in 2011. Its name alone promises a different tone from the town’s historic buildings, adding a light-hearted theme to your cultural explorations. The local history museum offers a glimpse into earlier architectural history: it is housed in the old girls’ school, a half-timbered building dating from 1789, right next to the town church.

Calau’s town church is Late Gothic and has three naves; construction is dated to before 1400. “Three-naved” describes the layout of the church, with three aisles. Another historic church is the Wendish Church, also known as the country church. It has had its present appearance since 1666. Together, these buildings offer different points of reference for exploring Calau across several centuries.

Local history is also presented through exhibitions and guided tours. The Calau Local History Association (Heimatverein Calau e.V.) regularly stages special themed exhibitions at the House of Local History. A guided tour of Calau passes, among other places, the Protestant town church and the town hall, and offers insights into the town’s eventful history. If you are interested in climbing to the observation platform of Calau’s town church, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.

Outdoor Activities and Water

For a change of pace, there is the Calau outdoor swimming pool, which is open seasonally. It has a pool each for swimmers, non-swimmers and young children. A large water slide and a mushroom fountain add to the water attractions. The different pools show that there is more than just one swimming area; for your visit, the seasonal opening is the key practical consideration.

If you prefer to spend time outdoors, you can follow the 14-kilometre cycling and hiking route. It starts at Calau railway station and heads towards Plieskendorf, passing the vineyard and climbing uphill to “Hölle” (“Hell”). There you will find a valley formed by erosion, with natural vegetation and several springs. Whether you hike or cycle, the route combines outdoor activity with the “Hölle” valley as a scenic destination.

Further Perspectives in Oberspreewald-Lausitz

The wider destination of Oberspreewald-Lausitz also offers a variety of options for excursions. Hiking routes in the district range from 4 to 32 kilometres. Cycling routes start at 40 kilometres; these include individual or guided multi-day tours with good opportunities to stop for a rest or a meal. This gives you an overview if you would like to include longer cycling or hiking trips in your travel plans alongside the attractions in Calau.

More than 580 kilometres of signposted cycling routes connect the regions between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Berge in Oberspreewald-Lausitz. Long-distance routes link southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. This is a different perspective from the individual 14-kilometre route starting at Calau railway station: here, the focus is on a larger network of trails and regional connections.

The Lusatian Lake District is part of the landscape in the south of Oberspreewald-Lausitz district. Former open-cast mines are being flooded to create a waterside landscape with more than 20 artificial lakes. Another cultural landmark in the wider destination is Lübbenau/Spreewald, whose historic old town includes a Neoclassical palace ensemble. Thus, the wider region brings together waterside landscapes, cycling and hiking trails, and historic town centres as distinct themes.

Discover more destinations: Kroppen, Raddusch, Lübbenau/Spreewald, Ruhland, Schwarzheide, Gosda, Vetschau/Spreewald, Laasow.

Back to the wider travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.