Discover Drebkau: Culture, History and Landscape

Drebkau offers a variety of discoveries: Sorbian-Wendish culture, historic buildings and the lake landscape of Gräbendorfer See, which was created from a former lignite open-cast mine. You can make cultural visits, activities on the water and routes through the landscape different focal points of your trip.

Sorbian-Wendish traditions and historic sites

The historic market square is connected to the Museum Sorbische Webstube, Drebkau Castle and the historic town hall. The museum preserves one of the largest collections of Easter eggs and keeps the Sorbian-Wendish traditions of egg decorating alive. This brings a specific craft and its cultural significance together with the buildings associated with the market square.

Casel also preserves a Wendish tradition: the Johannisreiten is maintained there as a recurring event for visitors. It takes place annually at around 24 June. If you would like to experience this custom, check the exact event date before your trip. Schorbus Church houses a winged altarpiece dating from around 1500, which was expanded in 1582. A visit to the church can therefore be considered a cultural and historical focus in its own right, alongside the museum and market square.

Another special stop is the mummy crypt in Illmersdorf. Advance registration is required for a visit, as the church is otherwise closed. Access arrangements may change, so check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Lake, views and routes through the landscape

Casel lies on Gräbendorfer See. The lake is a flooded remnant of the Gräbendorf lignite open-cast mine and is part of the Lusatian Lake District. Swimming, sailing and skating are possible activities there; check water access and the applicable rules before visiting. There is also a nine-kilometre paved loop around the lake, used by cyclists and skaters. Surface and access conditions may change, so it is worth checking the current route in advance.

For a hike, a 6.7-kilometre circular trail starts and ends at the Steinitz car park. Along the way are Lake Görigker See, the Steinitzer Treppe, Teufelsstein and Steinitzhof. The Steinitzer Treppe is also a viewpoint overlooking Drebkau, the Welzow open-cast mine and the Upper Lusatian hills. The landscape experiences are therefore distinct: the route includes several named stops, while the viewpoint opens up views across Drebkau and the surrounding area.

There are also different options for cycling tours. The loop around Gräbendorfer See is nine kilometres long; a 44-kilometre cycling tour starting in Spremberg lists the Steinitzer Treppe and the Sorbische Webstube Drebkau among its attractions. These figures offer a concrete comparison of distances without describing the same kind of route: one is a loop around the lake, the other a longer tour starting in Spremberg. Check the details of each route before setting off.

Meadows and fields shape the surroundings of Schorbus. Nearby are eight hills on the northern foothills of the Niederlausitzer Grenzwall. This adds a quieter landscape perspective to the impressions of the lake and the viewpoint.

Planning your journey and choice of accommodation

Drebkau lies on federal highway 169 and has a rail connection. When choosing accommodation, you can decide whether you would like to focus mainly on the cultural sites, the lake or the routes.

In the wider Spree-Neiße destination

In the wider Spree-Neiße destination, the Spree Cycle Route crosses the region for about 60 kilometres and runs mostly along paved river dykes. The Sorbian Impressions tour offers insights into the life and traditions of the Sorbian/Wendish minority living in the region. Both themes offer a regional perspective on cycling and culture beyond Drebkau.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Groß Schacksdorf-Simmersdorf, Peitz, Guben, Turnow-Preilack, Döbern, Schmogrow-Fehrow, Heinersbrück, Neuhausen/Spree.

Back to the wider travel overview: Spree-Neiße.