Annaburger Zweistromweg

Short Description

The cycle route Annaburger - Zweistromweg connects the rivers Elbe and Schwarze Elster. It leads over a total distance of 32 km through tranquil Elbe floodplain landscapes and along the wooded and wind-protected Annaburger Heide. Along the way, a visit to the Renaissance castles in Annaburg and Prettin or to the Porzelaneum Annaburg should not be missed.

Route Description

Coming from the Elbe Cycle Path, the Annaburger Zweistromweg begins at the ferry in Dommitzsch, which bridges the two rivers. It is always a special experience for all guests who cross with the Prettin ferry. A small covered seating area at the ferry landing on the Prettin side offers opportunities to rest or seek shelter from the rain. Less than 800m from the ferry, the guesthouse and restaurant Prettiner Fährhaus invites you to a relaxing stopover.

The marked Zweistromweg turns right from the ferry direction after the Prettin town entrance sign into the historic old town, where the remains of the former city wall can be seen. On the market square, the Prettin town hall offers an impressive sight. During the office hours of the administration, there is a guest toilet and on the ground floor an information stand with interesting facts about the region. St. Marys Town Church was first mentioned in documents in 1313. The church received the patronage right in 1315 from Elector Rudolf I of Saxony. The altars special feature is its origin from the Lichtenburg. The paintings on the back of the altar show representations from the life of Saint Anthony. The background painting presumably depicts buildings of the Lichtenberg Monastery. Lichtenburg Castle is one of the largest Renaissance castle complexes in Central Germany. On the grounds of the former Antonite monastery Lichtenberg, which was dissolved in 1525 as a result of the Reformation, Elector August of Saxony and his wife Anna of Denmark had Lichtenburg Castle built from 1565 to 1582. During a museum visit, you can gain insights into the history of Prettin and the castle through various exhibition complexes.

Immediately along the Zweistromweg, just beyond Labrun towards Bethau, a bathing pond with a covered seating area invites you to linger and relax. Labrun is a small village with mainly agricultural character and buildings dating back to the 12th century that have been preserved to this day. Also worth seeing is the small historically significant village church. Around the year 1620, there was a predecessor building made of wood, which had been built as a foundation by Electress Hedwig.

Further on, you pass through the small villages of Berthau and Groß Naundorf. In Berthau, it is worth taking a short detour to the play-sport and festival area. Noteworthy in Bethau is the neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau Saalkirche built in 1904/05 with a west tower. Groß Naundorf is one of the meadow villages and is located on the western edge of the Annaburger Heide.

In a hairpin turn, the path now turns onto the road to Annaburg. A small decorated fountain attracts the attention of passersby. The Zweistromweg continues for almost 2km on the lightly traveled road until Kolonie. In Kolonie, it meets the separately designated cycle path.

Annaburg is the easternmost city in Saxony-Anhalt, located on the edge of the Annaburger Heide between the Elbe and Schwarze Elster rivers. Sights include the castle located in the town, the Porzellaneum, and the administrative building with museums. Gastronomic establishments with accommodation options as well as cafes and ice cream parlors invite visitors to stay. Before 1573, the town was called Lochau. Ascanian princes built a hunting lodge here in the 13th century. The last Ascanian Duke Albrecht III of the House of Saxony-Wittenberg died in 1422 as a result of the Lochau Castle fire. Elector Friedrich III of Saxony, better known as Friedrich the Wise, built a massive new construction of front and rear castle at the beginning of the 16th century. The electoral court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder was involved in the design of the buildings. The hunting lodge with its gardens, ponds, and canals seems to have been one of the Electors favorite places. Friedrich the Wise died here on May 5, 1525, in his Lochau Castle.

The Zweistromweg runs along a forest area called the Tiergarten, which was created by Elector Friedrich to indulge in hunting passion. Today, it offers peace and relaxation with hiking trails and oak trees.

The association Porzellaneum e.V., based in Annaburg, operates a factory outlet, a small exhibition on porcelain history, a studio, and a café in the premises of the former Porzellan GmbH. A porcelain museum with live production is under construction. Several cultural events throughout the year ensure a lively flow of visitors. Here, tourists can get information about excursion destinations, restaurants, and accommodation options.

In the market square, the Stifel Fountain commemorates the mathematician and Protestant pastor Michael Stifel. He dealt with the so-called word arithmetic and predicted the end of the world for October 19, 1533, in Lochau. The Annaburg administrative building located on the market square is one of the most important half-timbered houses in eastern Saxony-Anhalt. The administrative building was built in 1578 for the administration of the electoral Saxon district.

In Löben, there is finally the transition to the Schwarze-Elster cycle path.

Further Information

https://annaburg.info/zweistromweg/