Gorden-Staupitz: Storks, Water and Village History

Gorden-Staupitz stands out for its white storks, waterside landscape and village history. The stork trail takes in Gorden, the Suden nature reserve, Staupitz and the Gordener Strand section of Grünewalder Lauch. Six information boards along the trail focus on threats to the white stork and the timing of its migrations. This means you encounter nature not just in the landscape, but also through practical information along the way.

Stork trails and walking routes

The circular stork trail connects Gorden and Staupitz over a distance of around 22 kilometres. It passes through white stork habitat and by nests in both villages. The stork trail and the circular stork route provide different points of reference: the stork trail focuses on several named stops and the information boards, while the circular route highlights the connection between the villages and its approximate length. There is also a picnic shelter on the route between Gorden and Staupitz, with a view of Gorden.

Willow cathedral, pond and rare species

In Staupitz, the willow cathedral is a striking example of community building: in 2012, it was created from 1,500 willow rods in the space of a week. Three information boards were made for the meadow by the willow cathedral. Another nature-focused spot is the Froschlausche pond, which provides information about the plants and animals found around water, meadows and hedges. Walks in nearby Grünhaus focus on rare plants and animals, including everlasting flowers and northern wheatears. At Grünewalder Lauch, activities include swimming, rowing, surfing and sailing. A beach on the northwestern shore of the lake is part of Gorden-Staupitz; there are bungalows and caravan pitches there.

Village church and local tradition

Staupitz Village Church was completed in 1717 as a broad, plastered hall church. Inside is a pulpit altar finished in white, dating from around 1832. The freestanding south tower was added in 1888 and is partly built of bricks and partly made of timber with boarded cladding. Gorden’s old stone cross is also part of the village’s history: local tradition describes it as an atonement cross dating from the 16th century. Staupitz and Gorden therefore have different historical traces side by side—from church architecture and furnishings to a locally handed-down interpretation.

Milling and guided nature experiences

Gorden Mill still grinds grain from nearby farms using electric power. Visitors who buy flour there can learn about the miller’s craft. Guided tours also combine nature and regional history: Harald Schneider takes visitors through the nature park on foot or by bicycle. His tours cover topics including nature reserves, former mining areas and traditional crafts. If you would like to plan a guided tour, check local availability in advance.

Elbe-Elster as a broader theme

The wider destination of Elbe-Elster also offers industrial heritage as a distinct theme. The Louise briquette factory in Domsdorf, which began operating in 1882, is the oldest surviving briquette factory in Europe. Plessa Power Station is one of Europe’s oldest lignite-fired power stations and has retained its original structure. These examples add industrial history to the picture of Elbe-Elster, while storks, trails, water and village history are what make Gorden-Staupitz distinctive.

Choose the right focus for your stay

If you are looking for accommodation in Gorden-Staupitz, it helps to first consider how you would like to spend your days: exploring birdlife and trails, enjoying activities on the water, or discovering village history and crafts. This makes it easier to assess the destination based on what matters most for your trip, without reducing its varied themes to a single type of holiday.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Herzberg, Bad Liebenwerda, Schönborn, Doberlug-Kirchhain, Gröden, Massen-Niederlausitz, Finsterwalde, Sallgast.

Back to the main travel overview: Elbe-Elster.