Via Imperii - St. James' Way Berlin - Leipzig

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 through Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, and Florence to Rome, connecting important trading and pilgrimage sites. In Leipzig, the Via Imperii meets the Via Regia, which continues to Santiago de Compostela to the Holy Shrine of the Apostle James.

The section of the route from Berlin to Leipzig passes through Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony. Besides larger cities like Berlin with its many sights, Teltow, Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, and Leipzig, the route is mostly rural. Fields and forest areas alternate with small villages. It passes through the ice-age-formed plateau of Fläming and the Dübener Heide Nature Park with its rich forests. Shortly before reaching the city center of Leipzig, we leave the greenery behind and reach St. Nicholas Church in the city center.

Length: 212 km (9-10 days) / Section in Brandenburg approx. 102 km (4-5 days)

Start: Berlin-Mitte / Destination: Leipzig

Route marking: stylized yellow shell on a blue background. The closed side of the shell points in the direction of travel. Traditionally, the Way of St. James is only marked in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.

Arrival: via Berlin Central Station
Departure: from Leipzig Hbf. Intercity-Express towards Berlin Gesundbrunnen to Berlin Hbf.

Route: 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, Kropstädt, Köpnick, Mochau, Thießen, Wittenberg, Kienberge, Klitzschena, Bergwitz, Reuden, Kemberg, Lubast, Tornau, Hammermühle, Bad Düben, Glaucha, Noitzsch, Krippehna, Wölkau, Krensitz, Niederossig, Lehelitz, Krositz, Mutschlena, Gottscheina, Merkwitz, Plaußig, Thekla, Schönefeld, Leipzig

Route information for the 10 individual stages: Berlin - Teltow (23.7 km), Teltow - Saarmund (21.8 km), Saarmund - Beelitz (16.5 km), Beelitz - Treuenbrietzen (22.2 km), Treuenbrietzen - Marzahna (17.5 km), Marzahna - Wittenberg (25.0 km), Wittenberg - Kemberg (15.9 km), Kemberg - Bad Düben (26.6 km), Bad Düben - Krostitz (21.5 km), Krostitz - Leipzig (21.4 km)

Sights: Berlin: Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Park am Gleisdreieck, Good Shepherd Monastery Complex, Berlin Wall TrailTeltow: protected old town, St. Andrew's Church from the 12th century, Bäkefließ, Old Hakeburg, BäkemühleStahnsdorf: Southwest Cemetery, one of the largest forest cemeteries in Europe with graves of famous personalities and a Norwegian cemetery chapelGreat Seddiner LakeKähnsdorf: local museum and a 25,000 sqm large boulder gardenAsparagus Town Beelitz: asparagus educational and hiking trail, windmill, Town Parish Church St. Marien - St. NikolaiTreuenbrietzen: St. Marien Church with a Baroque organ by organ builder Joachim Wagner, Baroque town hall with the Sabinchen Fountain, Local History MuseumRietz: village church from the 12th century, wooden altar and crucifixion paintingWergzahna: one of the oldest village churches in FlämingKropstädt: Water castleLutherstadt Wittenberg: St. Mary's City Church "Mother Church of the Reformation", Luther Oak, Luther Monument, Cranach Houses, Castle Church with Martin Luther's "Theses Door", Wittenberg Castle, Luther GardenBergwitzseeKremberg: late Gothic City Church "Our Dear Lady", where Martin Luther preached during the Reformation, late Gothic Town HallTornau: Wooden sculpture meadowBad Düben: over 1000 years old castleKrippehna: Protestant parish church with multi-storey altar structure, carvings, and octagonal sandstone baptismal fontLeipzig: St. Nicholas Church, the first Romanesque church dedicated to St. NicholasCombination options: Via Imperii Way of St. James from Szczecin/ Stettin to BerlinVia Imperii Way of St. James from Leipzig to Hof20 Green Main Routes (No. 5 - North-South Route)Berlin to Leipzig Cycle PathFontane Trail F5Luther TrailRoad condition/ Route development:
The section of the route from Berlin to Leipzig has been almost completely signposted since spring 2015. In Berlin, the route follows the Green Main Route No. 5. The landscape is flat with no significant height differences. Only in Fläming and Dübener Heide is it slightly hilly.

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

Maps/ Literature: "Way of St. James on the Via Imperii Section Berlin-Leipzig", 1:35000, Dr. Barthel Verlag (July 1, 2016)
ISBN: 978-3-89591-236-8, 14.90 euros