Between Princely Castles and Pious Monasteries

Before the Reformation, people were deeply pious, a fact that is reflected in the development of monastery complexes by the monastic orders and prominent town parish churches with magnificent altars. In the course of the Reformation, these were often converted or closed down. This circular tour takes you through seven historic town centres with nine castles and impressive churches as well as monastery complexes which now used as cultural venues or accommodate interesting museums. Jüterbog and Mühlberg/Elbe are home to the most significant testimonies to the Reformation, for which they have been awarded the European Heritage Label. Starting in the Fläming region, this cycle route takes you from Jüterbog southwards to the Elbe, then takes you through the Niederlausitz region before returning to the start.Length: 296 kilometresStart/finish: Doberlug-Kirchhain (or any other town along the route)Logo/route sign:  Logo of the Historic Town Centres Cycle Route - Route 5 (town silhouette)How to get there: all towns are easy to reach from Berlin by train or car within 1 to 2 hoursRoute: Doberlug-Kirchhain, Mühlberg/Elbe, Falkenberg, Uebigau-Wahrenbrück, Herzberg (Elster), Schönewalde, Jüterbog, Dahme/Mark, Luckau, Sonnewalde, Doberlug-KirchhainPoints of interest/background information:
Jüterbog: Monastery, St. Nikolai churchHerzberg (Elster): St. Marien town church, Botanic GardensMühlberg/Elbe: “Mühlberg 1547” museum, Marienstern Cistercian nunneryDoberlug-Kirchhain: Doberlug castleLuckau: Georgenkapelle chapelPossible combinations:Apfelroute TourDahme Cycle PathElster Bicycle TourFlaeming-SkateFR5Prince Pueckler Cycle PathHeath and Moor TourCoal, Wind and a Historic Town Centre TourCoal, Wind and Spa Town TourCoal, Wind and Water TourHistoric Town Centres Cycle Routes 6“Tetzel Ablass Fegefeuer” Bicycle TourBerlin-Leipzig Cycle PathScharze Elster Cycle PathTour BrandenburgBetween the Town of Singers and the Town of TannersBetween Mound Cemeteries and the Schwarze Elster RiverTrail conditions/surface: not specifiedMaps/Literature: Radtourenbuch Historische Stadtkerne im Land Brandenburg 2: Teil 2: Süden - Routen 4 bis 6, 1:50.000, Esterbauer; Auflage: 1. (15. Februar 2013), ISBN-13: 978-3850003582, Euro 13.90