Discover Elbe-Elster: Industrial Heritage, Nature and Wine

Historic power plants, old wine cellars and guided nature experiences give Elbe-Elster its distinctive character. Themes range from the history of energy production to birdsong and regional wine. When planning your trip, you can start by considering whether industrial heritage, nature or local traditions interest you most.

Industrial history you can experience

The F60 Visitor Mine is in the Elbe-Elster district, south of Lichterfeld. Visitors can explore the nearby Bergheider See by bicycle, Segway or on a walk along its long beach. This brings together a visit to the mine and different ways to spend time by the lake.

The Louise briquette factory in Domsdorf is Europe’s oldest preserved briquette factory. It began operating in 1882. Visitors can experience working historic machinery and discover steam engines there. Plessa Power Plant is another important testament to industrial history: it is one of Europe’s oldest lignite power plants and has retained its original fabric. Visitors can see authentic power plant technology from the 1920s. The guided “Coal Trail” tour passes through the external bunker, boiler house, turbine platform, control room and transformer area. Check the booking conditions for this tour in advance.

The Plessa Power Plant experience centre is on the “Coal, Wind and Water Tour” cycling route. The 200-kilometre “Coal, Wind and Water Tour” brings the history of energy production to life through the elements. This lets you take an interest in the history of technology into account when choosing a cycling tour.

Museums and urban history

Since January 2015, four important museums in the Elbe-Elster district have formed a joint museum network. The Mühlberg 1547 Museum focuses on the meeting of armies in 1547, which shaped the course of the Reformation, and bears the European Heritage Label. A specific historical event is at the heart of this museum; the preserved industrial sites offer their own perspective on history.

The Mühlberg 1547 Museum can be reached by bus routes 433/437 from Riesa, 536 from Falkenberg or Bad Liebenwerda–Koßdorf, and 565 from Bad Liebenwerda. It is about 300 metres, or a four-minute walk, from Mühlberg bus station. Check bus connections before travelling. Towns with historic centres in the Elbe-Elster region also offer interesting walking tours.

Discover nature: on foot, by bike or with a ranger

On excursions with a ranger from the Nature Watch service, visitors to the Elbe-Elster region can learn to identify birdsong, find rare plants and observe animals. The guided excursions focus on different aspects of nature. Dates may vary, so it is a good idea to check the current programme before planning.

If you prefer to choose a route, there are several with different themes. The Elster Cycle Tour is a circular route that passes old mills and runs through the Niederlausitzer Heidelandschaft Nature Park. The 65-kilometre Apple Route includes a guided tour of the pomological garden in Döllingen. If you would like to include this tour, check the current dates.

Wine-growing traditions in Schlieben

Wine has been grown again on the southern slope of the Langer Berg in Schlieben since 1992. More than 2,000 vines of the “Müller-Thurgau” and “Bacchus” varieties now grow there. A guided tour gives you the chance to learn about and taste Schlieben wine. The historic Kellerstraße is also part of the history of wine-growing: more than 30 wine cellars have been dug into the Langer Berg since around 1540.

Exploring these themes can help you organise your travel ideas and discover more about the places that appeal to you most.

Discover more places

Discover more places: Röderland, Schönewalde, Finsterwalde, Elsterwerda, Falkenberg/Elster, Schlieben, Hohenleipisch, Massen-Niederlausitz, Doberlug-Kirchhain, Wahrenbrück, Herzberg, Gorden-Staupitz, Bad Liebenwerda, Sallgast, Sonnewalde, Mühlberg, Fichtwald, Schönborn, Lebusa, Gröden, Plessa.

For the broader travel overview: Brandenburg.