Britz: Fieldstone Church and Biosphere Reserve

Britz combines the architectural history of its village church with the landscape of the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. The municipality lies within the reserve. When looking for accommodation in Britz, these different highlights can help guide your travel plans: local history and architecture, or nature in an environment shaped by lakes, wetlands and forests.

Britz Village Church: Fieldstone, Facades and Organ History

Britz Village Church is a fieldstone church dating from the 13th century, designed as a hall church. Its present appearance was strongly shaped by renovations in 1895 and 1934. Baroque window bays divide the facades along the long sides; a curved Neo-Baroque gable stands at the east end. More recent work is also part of the building’s history: the exterior and interior were completely renovated from 2006 to 2008.

The individual features create distinct accents: the fieldstone construction and 13th-century church building sit alongside Baroque facade elements and the Neo-Baroque gable. The organ’s history includes the first organ built for the village church by Carl August Buchholz in 1846. The village church organ was fully restored by Schuke in 2017.

Landscape and Trails in the Biosphere Reserve

The landscape of the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve includes around 240 lakes, thousands of wetlands, and extensive meadows and fields. The protected area has interconnected circular trails through forests, lakes and wetlands. There are also opportunities to swim in clear lakes. Hiking and swimming offer different ways to spend time outdoors. Check the conditions for individual trails and swimming spots separately.

Wildlife is another defining natural feature of the reserve: it is home to populations of cranes, black storks, beavers, otters and several species of eagle.

Getting to Britz and Finding Your Way

Britz is accessible by road, rail, bicycle and footpaths. There is a park-and-ride facility at Britz railway station; check its current status before you travel. Britz is also home to the town hall of the Britz-Chorin-Oderberg administrative district. These local details offer different points of reference when weighing up travel options and interests for your stay.

For a broader geographic perspective at the administrative-district level: the Britz-Chorin-Oderberg administrative district lies within the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve and extends into the core area of the species-rich polder landscapes of the cross-border Lower Oder Valley National Park.

The Wider Barnim Destination

The wider Barnim destination offers additional cultural and landscape highlights. Chorin Monastery is a key work of North German Brick Gothic architecture. The Niederfinow Boat Lift is Germany’s oldest working boat lift. The Tourist Information Centre at Chorin Monastery answers visitor enquiries and provides information about tourist services in the Schorfheide-Chorin region. Check current opening hours before visiting. The Ice Age Land on the Oder Edge Geopark stretches across the Uckermark and Barnim districts in northeastern Brandenburg.

Barnim also offers a regional perspective for cycling enthusiasts: the cycle route network in Barnim district has a total length of 610 kilometres, and cycling in Barnim Nature Park is a visitor activity in the district. The 143-kilometre circular “Around the Schorfheide” hiking trail passes through Barnim Nature Park. If you are planning a specific route, check the current trail conditions.

Water also broadens the range of options in the wider Barnim destination. Numerous swimming lakes offer opportunities to relax. The Finow Canal is Germany’s oldest artificial waterway still navigable by boat, and canoe trips are possible along it. Sightseeing cruises are offered on Lake Werbellin. So, alongside cultural landmarks, Barnim offers a choice of longer cycling and hiking routes as well as water-based activities.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Niederfinow, Panketal, Werneuchen, Hohenfinow, Chorin, Wandlitz, Marienwerder, Joachimsthal.

For the broader travel overview: Barnim.