Schipkau

Views of the hill country and post-mining landscape

From the Schipkau rooftop balcony, the view extends southeast towards the Kamenz hill country, including Hutberg and Hennersdorfer Berg. In Hörlitz, within the municipality of Schipkau, a 27-metre-high steel observation tower stands as a reminder of the former water tower. From there, panoramic views take in Hörlitz and Senftenberg, the EuroSpeedway Lausitz and the post-mining landscape of the former Meuro open-cast mine, reaching as far as the Saxon uplands. The two viewpoints offer different perspectives: from the rooftop balcony, you can see individual named hills, while the panoramic view in Hörlitz encompasses additional places and a vast post-mining landscape.

Routes and a lakeside stay

The Niederlausitz Mining Tour passes through the municipality of Schipkau and is about 510 kilometres long. The Fürst-Pückler-Weg also runs through the municipality; stretching for more than 500 kilometres, it takes you through the history of Lusatia. Both routes are therefore described as being around 500 kilometres long or more. They differ in theme: the Niederlausitz Mining Tour puts mining front and centre in its name, while the Fürst-Pückler-Weg traverses Lusatia’s history. In 2006, the ADFC (German Cycling Club) awarded it four stars. At Drochower See, cycle paths and walking trails invite you to stay awhile. These long routes and a lakeside stay thus offer distinct experiences.

Klettwitz Church: architectural details

Klettwitz Church underwent extensive renovation and expansion from 1905 to 1907, based on designs by Berlin architect Wilhelm Blaue and government architect Carl Weber. The 1906 faux coffered ceiling stands out for its 91 different motifs. The term refers to a ceiling design that imitates coffered panels. A stone chapel has also been preserved as the church’s entrance hall. The organ loft houses the 970th organ built by royal court organ builder Wilhelm Sauer of Frankfurt/Oder; it has 12 stops. The construction period, ceiling, chapel and organ give the church several specific architectural details, making it a distinct theme to explore alongside the views and routes.

Oberspreewald-Lausitz district: a destination in its own right

Hiking routes in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district range from 4 to 32 kilometres. Cycling routes start at 40 kilometres, including individual or guided multi-day tours with good places to rest and eat along the way. More than 580 kilometres of signposted cycle routes connect the regions between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Berge, as well as linking southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. In the south of the district, flooding former open-cast mines is creating a waterscape with more than 20 artificial lakes: the Lusatian Lake District. The district therefore offers active days and landscape experiences on a variety of regional scales.

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Discover more destinations: Calau, Senftenberg, Lübbenau/Spreewald, Schwarzheide, Großkmehlen, Hohenbocka, Laasow, Vetschau/Spreewald

Back to the regional travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.