Via Imperii - On the Way of St. James through Brandenburg

The Via Imperii was one of the most famous long-distance trade routes in the Middle Ages. The Roman trade route ran from Szczecin/Stettin via Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, and Florence to Rome, connecting important trade and pilgrimage sites. In Leipzig, the Via Imperii meets the Via Regia, which continues to Santiago de Compostela to the Holy Sepulchre of the Apostle James.

The Way of St. James, designated a European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe in 1987, is also a spiritual path. While on pilgrimage, individuals are invited to contemplate existential questions of life. This is often more successful while on the move on one's own feet than in everyday surroundings. Pilgrimage on the Way of St. James through Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt up to Leipzig in Saxony is a special experience along a total of 647 km of routes.

Length: 417 km (20-21 days) / Section in Brandenburg approx. 307 km (10-12 days)

Start: Szczecin, Poland / Destination: Leipzig

Route marking: stylized yellow shell on a blue background. The closed side of the shell points in the walking direction. Traditionally, the Way of St. James is only marked in the direction of Santiago de Compostela. Between Bernau and within Berlin Green Main Path No. 5.

Public transport: From Berlin Gesundbrunnen by RE66 to Szczecin Glowny (approx. 2 hours).

Departure: From Leipzig Hbf. Intercity-Express towards Berlin Gesundbrunnen to Berlin Hbf.

Route: Szczecin, Ustowo, Kurów, Siadlo Dolne, Moczyly, Pargowo, Staffelde, Geesow, Gartz, Hohenreinkendorf, Heinrichshof, Hohenfelde, Vierraden, Schwedt, Meyenburg, Zützen, Criewen, Stützkow, Stolpe, Crussow, Angermünde, Schmargendorf, Groß Ziethen, Buchholz, Serwest, Brodowin, Chorin Monastery, Sandkrug, Neuehütte, Eberswalde, Spechthausen, Schönholz, Melchow, Biesenthal, Lobetal, Ladeburg, Bernau near Berlin, Berlin-Mitte, Berlin-Schöneberg, Berlin-Marienfelde, Teltow, Stahnsdorf, Güterfelde, Philippsthal, Saarmund, Wildenbruch, Kähnsdorf, Kietz, Schlunkendorf, Beelitz, Elsholz, Salzbrunn, Buchholz, Niebel, Treuenbrietzen, Rietz, Dietersdorf, Schwabeck, Feldheim, Schmögelsdorf, Marzahna, Wergzahna / Saxony-Anhalt: Kropstädt, Köpnick, Mochau, Thießen, Wittenberg, Kienberge, Klitzschena, Bergwitz, Reuden, Kemberg, Lubast, Tornau / Saxony: Hammermühle, Bad Düben, Glaucha, Noitzsch, Krippehna, Wölkau, Krensitz, Niederossig, Lehelitz, Krositz, Mutschlena, Gottscheina, Merkwitz, Plaußig, Thekla, Schönefeld, Leipzig

Places of interest: Szczecin: St. Jacob's Cathedral / St. Jacob's Church, brick Gothic church from the 12th century with an observation platform (including elevator) Lower Oder Valley National ParkGartz (Oder): St. Stephan's Church, Stettiner Tor, AckerbürgermuseumVierraden: Kreuzkirche, Tobacco MuseumSchwedt (Oder): St. Mary's Assumption, St. Catherine's Church, Hugenottenpark and Jewish ritual bathStützkow: Viewpoint "View into the Oder Valley" from RichterbergStolpe: Cultural Chapel, Stolper TurmAngermünde: Franciscan Monastery, St. Mary's Church, Holy Spirit Chapel, Town Hall and Old TownWolletzsee, Village Church in Altkünkendorf and Beech Forest Grumsin (Alternative route from Angermünde)Schmargendorf and Groß Ziethen: Village ChurchSchorfheide-Chorin Biosphere ReserveBrodowin Eco-Village: Farm Shop and Café, Chorin Monastery Church: the Cistercian monastery from the 13th century is one of the most important brick Gothic buildings in BrandenburgEberswalde: St. Mary Magdalene Church, St. George's Chapel and Peter and Paul Church, Old Lock, Finow Canal, Forest Botanical Garden, ZooBarnim Nature ParkNonnenfließ and SchwärzetalBiesenthal: St. Mary's Church, Biesenthal BasinBernau: St. Mary's Church and Old Town with city wallBerlin: Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Park am Gleisdreieck, Convent of the Good Shepherd, Berlin Wall TrailTeltow: listed Old Town, St. Andrew's Church from the 12th century Bäkefließ, Old Hakeburg, BäkemühleStahnsdorf: Südwestkirchhof, one of the largest forest cemeteries in Europe with graves of famous personalities and Norwegian cemetery chapelLake Großer SeddinerKähnsdorf: Local Museum and 25,000 sqm large boulder gardenAsparagus Town Beelitz: Asparagus Teaching and Hiking Trail, Windmill, Town Parish Church St. Mary - St. NicholasTreuenbrietzen: Church St. Mary with baroque organ by organ builder Joachim Wagner, baroque Town Hall with Sabinchenbrunnen, Local MuseumRietz: Village Church from the 12th century, wooden altar and crucifixion paintingWergzahna: one of the oldest village churches in the FlämingKropstädt: Water CastleLutherstadt Wittenberg: St. Mary's City Church "Mother Church of the Reformation", Luther Oak, Luther Memorial, Cranach Houses, Castle Church with "Theses Door" by Martin Luther, Wittenberg Castle, Luther GardenBergwitzseeKremberg: late Gothic City Church "Our Dear Women", in which Martin Luther preached during the Reformation period, late Gothic Town HallTornau: Wooden Sculpture MeadowBad Düben: over 1000 years old castleKrippehna: Protestant parish church with multi-storey altar construction, carvings and octagonal sandstone baptismal fontLeipzig: St. Nicholas Church, the first Romanesque church dedicated to Saint NicholasPossibilities for combination:Way of St. James Frankfurt (Oder) - Bernau near Berlin (North Route 111 km)Way of St. James Frankfurt (Oder) - Teltow (South Route 115 km)The two routes are not shown on the map.

Route conditions/ infrastructure: The Way of St. James along the Via Imperii has been progressively signposted since spring 2020. The Berlin-Leipzig section is almost completely signposted. In Berlin, the route follows the Green Main Path No. 5.
The landscape is flat and without significant differences in altitude.

Note: Some sections of the route are sparsely populated and have few gastronomic or shopping facilities. Accommodations should also be carefully planned.

Maps/ Literature: Currently still in planning.