Stage 9: “Paul-Gerhardt Path” from Schlepzig - Lübben (Spreewald)

Paul Gerhardt’s Last Station
The ninth stage is not only the final stage of the Paul-Gerhardt path, it also takes you along idyllic paths to Paul Gerhardt’s last place of work in Lübben (Spreewald), where the ecclesiastical poet died in 1676. Paul Gerhardt, who was defrocked by the Great Elector of Brandenburg due to religious differences, was recommended for the vacant pastorate in Lübben. At that time Lübben (Spreewald) was part of the Margraviate of Niederlausitz and therefore also of the Electorate of Saxony. In 1669 he took up office in the Spreewald, where conditions were modest for the 62-year-old. He also had to learn the Wendish language, and look after his five-year-old son. In his will, he left his son rules of faith and life. The Paul-Gerhardt centre showcases these documents in an unusual and interesting way. Paul Gerhardt was laid to rest in 1676 in the Spreewald town. He lived in the immediate vicinity of the Paul-Gerhardt church, where one of the windows bears his portrait; you simply must pay a visit to the church as well as the Paul-Gerhardt Centre. 
Length (duration): 16 kilometres (about 4 hours)
Route sign: Signets and hiking signs of the Paul-Gerhardt path
Route:
The route runs along a combined cycling and hiking trail and takes you to edge of Lübben (Spreewald) along the Spree and many fish ponds along the way. The Spree itself, however, is usually hidden by the riverbank vegetation and you will only catch the occasional glimpse.
Trail conditions: 60% partially paved and 40% paths with a solid surface.
Points of interest along the route:
Nature: Carp ponds, the Spree river, park-like landscapes.
Culture: Schlepzig half-timbered church, old postal milestone, Lübben castle and castle island, Paul-Gerhardt church, Paul-Gerhardt house, Paul-Gerhardt exhibitions.

By public transport:
Start: There is a bus from Schlepzig to Lübben (Spreewald).
Finish: There are train and bus connections in all directions from Lübben (Spreewald).
The VBB regional tariff applies in all locations.
How to get there by car:
Metered parking in Schlepzig, some free parking in Lübben (Spreewald) on the road near hotel “Stephanshof”, public car park at the train station and metered parking in the town centre Lübben (Spreewald).

Recommended maps/Literature:
Rad- und Wanderkarte Unterspreewald Dahme-Heideseen, Verlag PUBLICPRESS; ISBN 978-3-7473-0278-1
Reschke, Manfred: Paul-Gerhardt-Weg “Natur und Kultur zwischen Berlin und Spreewald”, Trescher-Verlag; 1. Auflage 2017, 168 Seiten, 80 Fotos, 25 Karten und Stadtpläne, farbige Klappkarten, ISBN 978-3-89794-354-4

Find inspiration in the diary specifically published for this trail. The tourist information centres along the way give you hiking stickers for each completed stage, which you can stick in your diary. They also give you song sheets of the poet’s most famous songs.
You can find all souvenirs of the Paul-Gerhardt path to www.dahme-seenland.de/service/souvenirs/

Possible combinations/connection to other hiking trails:
Circular trail from Straupitz through the Spreewald