Senftenberg: Art, Garden City and Lake

Senftenberg offers a range of options for planning your trip: art and castle history in the town centre, the Marga Garden City in Brieske, and cycling and water activities by the lake.

Art and castle history in the town centre

In the castle park in central Senftenberg, between the market square and the town harbour, you’ll find the Museum Schloss und Festung Senftenberg and the Lausitz Art Collection. The collection comprises more than 2,500 works by over 130 painters, graphic artists and sculptors. It also includes works by Ernst Barlach and Carl Lohse.

The castle and fortress have a long history of construction: the Renaissance complex was built on the foundations of a medieval castle in the 16th century to secure the Saxon border. Anyone interested in art and architecture will find two distinct ways to explore Senftenberg’s history here: through the works in the art collection and through the historic complex itself.

Explore the Marga Garden City on foot or by bike

Another highlight is the Marga Garden City in Brieske, a district of Senftenberg. Built in the early 20th century in the late Art Nouveau style as a residential settlement for workers of Ilse Bergbau AG, it is considered Germany’s oldest garden city. A modern visitor information and wayfinding system at eleven stops guides visitors who want to explore its history on foot or by bicycle.

This offers another way to shape your stay: rather than focusing on the art collection and castle complex, a visit to Marga centres on the history and architecture of a workers’ settlement.

Senftenberg Lake, the town harbour and water activities

The town of Senftenberg, together with its six districts, surrounds Senftenberg Lake. The town harbour has moorings for up to 120 recreational boats, along with the associated service facilities. A viewing balcony offers a view of the lake, and the Seenland Route starts at the town harbour.

The lake is also a feature for cyclists: the varied circular route around Senftenberg Lake is 18 kilometres long and is recommended for cyclists. Großkoschen is recommended as both the starting and finishing point. The Santa Barbara passenger boat operates on the lake, allowing you to shorten part of the circular route. If you plan to use this option, check the timetable in advance.

Activities in Großkoschen and for the whole family

At the Hafencamp in Großkoschen, a district of Senftenberg, you can take taster courses in sailing and stand-up paddling with Expeditours. Expeditours also rents out rowing boats, pedal boats, canoes, sailboats and motorboats; availability may vary. This means you can choose from different types of boats and two beginner courses for an active day on the water.

The tourist information centre also offers an entertaining and informative puzzle trail for the whole family. It follows a short walking route from Senftenberg’s old town to Senftenberg Lake and is available for a nominal fee of €1.00. Alongside cycling and boating, this is a short discovery tour connecting the old town and the lake.

More tours in Oberspreewald-Lausitz

For a broader look at the Oberspreewald-Lausitz travel destination, the district offers hiking routes between 4 and 32 kilometres long. Cycling routes start at 40 kilometres and include individual or guided multi-day tours with good opportunities to stop for a break or a meal. More than 580 kilometres of signposted cycle routes connect areas between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Berge, as well as linking southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. This makes the shorter lakeside circuit in Senftenberg quite different in length and format from the district’s longer cycling tours.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hosena, Großkoschen, Kroppen, Vetschau/Spreewald, Schwarzheide, Calau, Altdöbern, Lübbenau/Spreewald.

Back to the main travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.