Discover Hornow-Wadelsdorf: Chocolate and History

The topics described here make Hornow-Wadelsdorf a place of striking contrasts, combining architectural history, chocolate experiences and Sorbian traditions. In Hornow, the Church of St. Martin, a manor house with a park and SchokoLadenLand take centre stage. Felicitas adds a café and annual Easter egg painting to the mix. This allows you to include a variety of interests in your travel plans without all the experiences having the same character.

History in Hornow

The Church of St. Martin in Hornow was built in the 13th century. The manor house with a park at Schulstraße 33 is listed in the heritage register of the state of Brandenburg; the edition on which this is based is dated 1 January 2025. These two historic landmarks tell the story of Hornow’s past in different ways: the church has a documented construction period, while the manor house and park are listed as a heritage site. If you are particularly interested in architectural history, this contrast provides a clear starting point.

SchokoLadenLand and experiences at Felicitas

SchokoLadenLand Hornow includes a petting zoo and also offers a hands-on demonstration workshop. These are two distinct experiences: interacting with animals and taking part in an activity. For families weighing up these kinds of options together, they offer concrete ideas when choosing outings. If the demonstration workshop is important to your visit, check in advance what is currently on offer.

The Felicitas Café serves Felicitas chocolate cakes and homemade ice cream. Felicitas also hosts annual Easter egg painting using a Sorbian wax-resist technique. While the café and ice cream offer a culinary experience, the egg painting combines an annual event with a traditional decorative technique. If you would like to include the Easter egg painting in your plans, check the specific dates in advance.

In the wider destination of Spremberg

In the wider destination of Spremberg, nature, local history and culture complement the topics described here in Hornow. Spremberg’s small Slamener Kuthen nature park preserves a section of the natural Spree floodplain and is part of the Slamer Heide landscape conservation area. Numerous plant and animal species found in the Kuthen primeval forest are listed on the Red List. The completed parts of NABU’s plan for the nature park include the Natur-Erlebnis-Energie trail and a short hiking trail through the Kuthen primeval forest. Nature enthusiasts can distinguish between these two named trails and the forest’s distinctive ecological character.

Spremberg’s history also stretches far back: as early as the 11th century, an early German tower castle was built on the site of today’s Spremberg Castle to protect the crossing over the Spree. The Lower Lusatian Heath Museum is located in the castle. Its exhibitions cover regional history and include documents about the life and work of the writer Erwin Strittmatter, who was born in Spremberg. The museum is largely accessible: visitors with mobility impairments and parents with pushchairs can enter the building step-free through the courtyard, and a conveniently located lift serves all exhibition levels. If you need this information to plan your visit, check the latest visitor information.

Spremberg lies in the green valley of the Spree, at the heart of Lusatia. In the town centre, well-maintained townhouses, shops, cafés and restaurants line the narrow streets around the market square. The Sonntagsche Haus is considered the town’s oldest residential building. The weekly market takes place twice a week and offers fresh produce as well as an opportunity to meet and connect with local people; check the current market days before your visit.

For views of Spremberg, the Bismarck Tower in the town park has two observation platforms overlooking the town in the Spree valley. Those interested in walking routes through the park can follow the route of the European long-distance path E10, which passes the fountain, the lapidarium and Sängerblick. Spremberg city tours can be booked directly with the guides. A bookable historical city tour presents the story of Jutta von Kittlitz and Seyfried von Loeben in a depiction set in the late 11th century.

Discover more destinations: Turnow-Preilack, Welzow, Peitz, Spremberg, Kolkwitz, Teichland, Burg, Groß Schacksdorf-Simmersdorf.

Return to the wider travel overview: Spree-Neiße.