Discover Roßlau: the Elbe, castle and local history

Roßlau brings together the Elbe, southern floodplains, eastern woodland and a rich architectural and local history. This gives you several themes to consider when planning your trip: landscapes, historic buildings, local collections or events. If you would like to explore nature and culture together, Roßlau offers a variety of starting points.

Elbe landscapes and historic buildings

Roßlau lies on the right bank of the Elbe. Elbe floodplains lie to the south, while extensive woodland stretches to the east. This places two distinct landscapes side by side: river floodplains and forest. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on the landscape or the town’s historic heritage.

The Protestant town church of St. Mary was first mentioned in 1316. Its baptismal bell, around 1,000 years old, is considered the oldest bell in Anhalt. The church thus brings together two different points in time: the building’s first recorded mention and a bell that dates back much further. This contrast offers culture enthusiasts a striking way into Roßlau’s history.

Roßlau Moated Castle also tells a story of different historical layers. Its oldest parts date from the 12th century, and it was built on the remains of a Slavic settlement fortification. The buildings and grounds are protected historic monuments. While the history of St. Mary’s can be traced through its first mention and its ancient baptismal bell, the focus at the moated castle is on the earlier fortification and medieval structures.

Local history museum and maritime history

At the listed oil mill, the focus shifts from architectural history to crafts and everyday life. The former building served as a textile, fulling and oil mill; its origins date back to 1533. Today, it houses the local history museum. Exhibits include Roßlau porcelain, objects from everyday town life, old newspapers and town views.

The Shipbuilding and Shipping Museum offers a different focus: across more than 300 square metres, it presents the history of shipping on the Elbe and local shipbuilding. Ship models, drawings, photographs and engaging exhibits bring these subjects to life. Compared with the local history museum, the focus here shifts from porcelain, everyday objects and town views to river shipping and shipbuilding. A Dietze paddle wheel can also be seen at Luchplatz.

Events and excursions

Roßlau Moated Castle is a destination for excursions and a venue for music festivals, theatre performances, and Christmas and Easter markets. It is also considered a starting point for excursions into the Oberluch floodplain landscape near Roßlau. The castle therefore offers different possibilities: attending events or exploring the floodplains. Annual highlights in Roßlau include the SKA Festival, the Burgsommertheater and the Heimat- und Schifferfest. Dates and programmes may vary. If you would like to attend a particular festival or performance, check the latest details before your trip.

Plan your journey

The B184 and B187 federal highways and the L120 state road pass through Roßlau. There is also a bus route and a rail connection between Dessau and Roßlau. Timetables and service patterns may change, so if you plan to travel by bus or train, check the latest connections for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kochstedt, Dessau-Roßlau, Mildensee.

Back to the main travel overview: Dessau-Roßlau.