Belgern – Roland, Town Hall and the Elbe

Belgern reveals itself through its distinctive buildings, its connections to the Elbe and the paths that lead through the surrounding area. The Renaissance town hall, the stone Roland statue and St. Bartholomew’s Church bring the town’s history to life in tangible places. Cycling tours, hikes and boat trips complement these historical impressions with ideas for active pursuits. Depending on whether you want to focus on culture, exercise or both, you can shape your stay in different ways.

Town Hall, Roland and City Gates

The town hall was built between 1575 and 1578 in the Renaissance style and has retained its original design. Belgern’s Roland statue adds a different emphasis: carved from stone in 1610, the statue is almost six metres tall and represents judicial authority, market rights and the right to mint coins. Together, the town hall and Roland reveal different sides of the town’s history—architecture on the one hand and the significance of legal rights on the other.

The Oschatz Gate also offers a glimpse into Belgern’s town fortifications. It is the last of the four former city gates, which were part of the early medieval fortifications. The monastery courtyard adds another historic site as Belgern’s oldest building; it was built in 1258. Those interested in different periods and architectural forms will find more than a single place from which to explore Belgern’s past.

Church, Museum and Special Details

St. Bartholomew’s Church was built by Cistercian monks between 1509 and 1512. Inside, Late Gothic and peasant Baroque design elements meet. The Baroque altar dates from 1660 and features three paintings: the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Deposition from the Cross. Beside the main entrance, the half-weathered stone carving of the nixie child is built into the church wall; Belgern’s distance marker was erected in 1730.

Since 2004, the Belgern Town Museum has been housed in the Old Smithy at Topfmarkt 7. The tour begins in a fully functional smithy. This gives the museum visit a tangible connection to traditional crafts, setting it apart from the buildings and decorative details of the church. Families with varied interests can explore several themes side by side: local history, religious art and craftsmanship.

Exploring the Trails and the Elbe

The Mill Steps take you from the old town down to the Elbe. In Belgern, you can also cycle along the International Elbe Cycle Route, explore the surrounding area or ride through the Dahlen-Belgern Heath. There are also hikes on signposted routes and boat trips on the town’s own yacht. These options offer different ways to spend your time actively, without having to commit your trip to a single route.

Treblitzsch Landscape Park lies four kilometres south of Belgern, in the district of Treblitzsch. The protected park is a nature reserve and adds a landscape-focused perspective to your travel plans. The ferry connection between Belgern and Ostelbien has a long tradition. Check the latest information on ferry services for your planned travel date.

Choose Activities and Plan Your Stay

At the Belgern rest stop, replicas of Roland statues from other German towns are on display. The site also has a beach volleyball court. Here, you can compare Belgern’s Roland with other Roland figures, while the rest stop offers an additional opportunity for active pursuits. You can decide which of these options matters most to your family based on your shared interests.

The St. Bartholomew Festival is held every year around 24 August in honour of St. Bartholomew. If you are planning a trip around the festival, check the exact date in advance. When looking for accommodation in Belgern, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: historic sites, cycling and hiking routes, or connections across the Elbe. You can then tailor your choice to the experiences that matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Wohlau, Neußen, Großtreben-Zwethau, Oschatz, Wermsdorf, Arzberg, Schönwölkau, Schkeuditz.

Back to the regional travel guide: Northern Saxony.