Gräfenhainichen: Lakes, Printing History and Industrial Heritage

Gräfenhainichen offers several travel themes: flooded open-cast mining lakes, industrial heritage, printing history and traditional ceramics. There are also church architecture, outdoor art and trails through nature. When planning, you can start with what interests you most—from time by the water and mining history to a cycling or hiking tour.

Lakes, bathing spots and the Dübener Heide

Two flooded open-cast mining lakes lie around Gräfenhainichen: Lake Gremmin and Lake Gröbern. Four bathing spots are available on the southern and western shores of Lake Gremmin. Before swimming, observe the local safety notices. The lake is also designated for diving; check permit requirements and local conditions before diving. Lake Möhlau features a sandy beach, sunbathing lawn, and parking and bicycle spaces. Local access conditions may change.

Gräfenhainichen is considered the gateway to the Dübener Heide, a 770-square-kilometer mixed-forest nature park with extensive hiking, cycling and horse-riding trails. Wildlife found there includes beavers, deer, cranes, storks and ospreys. One specific wildlife-watching spot is the beaver observation tower, which offers a view of a beaver-shaped landscape on Försterweg, between Bauerhaus and Lutherstein.

Mining and printing history

Ferropolis is an industrial museum on a peninsula in Lake Gremmin. Five large mining machines can be seen there year-round; visitors can enter one of them. Maintenance work may temporarily restrict access. The 30-KV station houses a museum on the region’s mining history. Outside event times, you can explore Ferropolis on a guided tour or independently with an audio guide.

The book printing museum offers a different historical focus. It displays printing presses and equipment from different periods, including working examples, and explains Gräfenhainichen’s printing history. Guided tours can be arranged by appointment. When planning your trip, you can weigh up an immersive look at industrial history against an insight into the local printing tradition.

Church, ceramics and outdoor art

The Evangelical St. Mary’s Church has medieval roots that probably date back to the Romanesque period; older sections are Gothic. Its present appearance is the result of a Baroque renovation carried out between 1658 and 1666. The church’s medieval origins and later transformation give its architecture several distinct historical layers.

At the pottery studio, you can try a pottery-wheel experience and find handmade ceramics in the shop. Opening arrangements may vary, so check before visiting. The art and history trail features steel artworks along the route from the town balcony towards Ferropolis and Radis. The town balcony also provides access to a cycling tour on International Route R1. Check local route conditions before setting off.

Plan your journey and accommodation

The road route follows the A9 Berlin–Munich to the Dessau-Ost exit, then the B107 towards Oranienbaum-Wörlitz. For your journey, it is advisable to check current road conditions. Then compare the location of specific accommodation with your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, Bad Schmiedeberg, Zahna-Elster, Jessen, Coswig, Kemberg, Griesen, Annaburg.

Back to the main travel overview: Wittenberg.