Schmogrow-Fehrow: Waterscapes and Sorbian-Wendish Customs

Schmogrow-Fehrow combines a landscape shaped by waterways and meadows with Sorbian-Wendish customs that are part of the town’s cultural heritage. For families and other travelers looking to combine nature and culture, these two aspects offer tangible points of interest: branching waterways outdoors and distinctive traditions in local customs.

Waterways, meadows and paths

The Spree between Peitz and Burg FFH area extends as far as Schmogrow-Fehrow. Its waterways flow through regeneration and development zones. Near Fehrow, the Malxe and Hammergraben reach the protected area’s boundary. The Malxe-Spree lowland contains extensive meadows crisscrossed by drainage ditches.

Near Schmogrow, the Spree branches into numerous waterways that flow northwest through the Upper Spreewald. A route near Schmogrow follows banks lined with alders, poplars and oaks; the surrounding landscape is shaped by agriculture. Together, these details create a changing picture of water, open meadows and cultivated land, rather than a single, uniform landscape.

The FFH area can be accessed on foot, by bicycle and by boat. You can decide whether you would prefer to explore the area from a path, by bike or on the water. These three options refer to ways of accessing the protected area; they do not necessarily describe the same route or the same way of experiencing the landscape.

Water management and local history

Water management also has a historical connection to Schmogrow. In 1917, the Freiwehr weir was built at Schmogrow Mill. Its construction improved the possibilities for regulating water. This structure is part of the town’s history and adds a historical perspective on water management to today’s landscape.

Sorbian-Wendish customs in Schmogrow and Fehrow

Schmogrow and Fehrow continue Sorbian-Wendish customs and traditional dress as part of their cultural heritage. In Schmogrow, the Zapust procession is considered the highlight of the annual local carnival. One distinctive feature of the procession is the Kljambaua: a bell tree carried in the procession, with the year 1875 embroidered on its back. At the local Zapust procession, girls wear Wendish festive dress.

The Hahnschlagen tradition is also still observed in Schmogrow. The town is one of the few villages in Lower Lusatia where this custom has survived. Young men and the fire brigade take part in erecting the maypole; afterwards, the village gathers for a celebration. Zapust, Hahnschlagen and the maypole represent different forms of local customs, from a procession with its distinctive objects and clothing to villagers coming together.

If you would like to experience a particular procession or event, check the relevant dates before your trip. The specific details of recurring customs may vary. When looking for accommodation, it helps to first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: would you like the waterscape to be the main attraction, are you particularly interested in Sorbian-Wendish traditions, or would you like to combine both?

Spree-Neiße as a wider setting

The wider Spree-Neiße destination offers further landscape and cultural themes to provide a broader context for planning your trip. The Spree Cycle Route crosses the region for about 60 kilometers, running mostly along paved river dikes. The Lower Lusatian Mining Tour passes active open-cast lignite mines and recultivated landscapes. The Prince Pückler Trail showcases landscape design from Pückler’s time and the present day; the Sorbian Impressions tour offers insights into the life and traditions of the Sorbian-Wendish minority in the region.

Other regional highlights include the East German Rose Garden in Forst (Lausitz), a 17-hectare park with tens of thousands of roses in almost 1,000 varieties, as well as the Spreewald landscape, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a distinctive inland delta landscape. The Spreewald also has its own culinary specialties: these include pickled gherkins in sour, spiced or mustard varieties, linseed oil with quark, yeast pancakes and Spreewald fish. These regional perspectives complement the local waterscapes and customs as distinct themes within the wider Spree-Neiße destination.

Discover more destinations: Schenkendöbern, Welzow, Neuhausen/Spree, Teichland, Kolkwitz, Jänschwalde, Forst, Werben

Back to the main travel overview: Spree-Neiße.