A unique cultural landscape has grown up along the Elbe over the centuries, combining nature, architecture, art and the revolutionary history of ideas. Together with the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, the Luther memorials in Wittenberg, the Bauhaus buildings in Dessau and the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom form the UNESCO World Heritage triangle Luther | Bauhaus | Garden Kingdom | Elbe - the heart of the Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg World Heritage Region.
You can get an idea of the city of tomorrow from the perspective of the 1920s on a tour of Dessau, where the Bauhaus idea developed at the Hochschule für Gestaltung from 1925 - 1932: simple and functional architecture as an interplay of architecture, art and craftsmanship, which was created with industrially prefabricated parts according to the modular principle and was intended to be accessible to everyone. Here you can visit model modernist houses such as the Master Houses, which are now purely exhibition buildings.
You can then cycle through the beautiful river landscape along the Mittelelbe with its extraordinary beaver castles and rare floodplains. In the middle of it all lies the magnificent Gartenriched Dessau-Wörlitz, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, including all of its buildings, gardens and art exhibitions.
Continue to Lutherstadt Wittenberg, where the Protestant Reformation was initiated over 500 years ago, a movement that would soon sweep across Europe. European Reformation history can still be experienced in the town today, for example in the Luther House or in the Castle Church with the famous Thesis Door.
In the Hoher Fläming Nature Park, a sparsely populated, densely wooded hilly landscape that is a paradise for those seeking peace and quiet, it's time to recharge your batteries before you reach Potsdam with its 15 magnificent palaces and parks. Since 1990, the palaces and parks of Potsdam and Berlin have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a journey through 400 years of Prussian-European history.
Highlights of cultural history
UNESCO Bauhaus buildings Dessau
From the Kornhaus restaurant in the north, to the Bauhaus building and the Masters' Houses, to the Dessau-Törten estate in the south - Dessau has more original Bauhaus buildings than any other city. The most significant are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
UNESCO Central Elbe Biosphere Reserve
The Central Elbe Biosphere Reserve is one of the oldest biosphere reserves in Germany. The Elbe, as the third largest river in Germany, stands here as a meandering band at the center of the biosphere reserve.
UNESCO Garden Kingdom Dessau-Wörlitz
Goethe already raved 250 years ago about the largest and first part of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom.
UNESCO Luther Memorials Wittenberg
Almost 500 years ago, the whole world was looking at the small town of Wittenberg on the Elbe River when Martin Luther launched the Protestant Reformation by posting his theses at the castle church.
Don't miss it!
Intangible cultural heritage
The art of falconry is at least 3,500 years old and was added to the list of intangible cultural heritage as a special cultural heritage practice in 2010. First practiced in Central Asia, falconry came to Europe via East Asia. Hunting with birds of prey requires a great deal of patience and empathy and a wealth of knowledge that has been passed down through generations. Impressive owl and bird of prey shows take place in the falconry at Wörlitz Park from March to November. Giant vultures, mighty eagles, tiny falcons and owls show off their flying skills. Continuing towards Brandenburg, Rabenstein Castle, which towers 153 m above sea level, offers a fantastic view over the Hohe Fläming. The medieval castle provides a great backdrop for the ancient craft of Fläming falconry. Here, too, there are daily flight demonstrations with birds of prey native to Europe and a direct link to local nature.
FERROPOLIS- City of iron
On the site of the former Golpa-Nord open-cast mine, five large-scale open-cast mining machines can now be viewed all year round and are partially accessible. With this impressive backdrop, FERROPOLIS is a popular venue for music, sports and cultural events as well as a popular campsite in the summer months.
Since the opening of the Ferropolis Arena in 2000, world stars have been coming to Ferropolis for concerts and festivals. Ferropolis is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), a living museum full of impressive, tangible history. The mixture of music, lightning storms and experiencing nature in the shadow of the iron giants make a visit to the unique arena an unforgettable experience.
Regional products along the cultural history
World HeritageEnjoyment in the World Heritage Region
We invite you on a culinary journey through the Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg World Heritage region! Whether in the small fine restaurant "von Bora" on the Lutherhof in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, with a cool drink and a view of the Elbe on the Elbterrasse in Wörlitz or in the style of the Bauhaus in the Hotel 7 Säulen directly opposite the Masters' Houses in Dessau. Along the European Cycle Route, many restaurants with regional delicacies invite you to take a break.
And if you still have room in your luggage, you can take home the RegioKiste from the Middle Elbe or the Anhaltkiste from the World Heritage region.
Fläming trout
The Fläming has clear streams that are home to brown trout and other animals that depend on oxygen-rich, cold, clean water. Various trout farms have settled along the watercourses in the past, some of which are still active today. The farmed trout (especially rainbow trout) can be found on many menus in the region's inns - be sure to try them! Some trout farms also offer smoked products in their farm stores to take away with you.
Old Sandhill Whisky
The Eggenstein family has been distilling their traditional single malt whisky in the old Sandberg district of Bad Belzig in the traditional way since 2012. Only the best raw materials are used in the production of the single malt whisky - exclusively barley malt, water from the Hoher Fläming Nature Park and specially developed whisky yeast. The distillates are matured for at least five years in oak barrels. The single malt whisky impressed an international jury of experts at its first presentation in Berlin and has since won various awards. Whisky tastings are held regularly at the distillery at the foot of Eisenhardt Castle.
The highlights along the cultural history
Our daily stage recommendation
Stage Dessau-Roßlau - Lutherstadt Wittenberg
On this stage, the R1 winds its way through a region where world-shaking events began, the artistic avant-garde found a home and an enlightened prince created a treasure trove of garden art. Together with the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, the Luther memorials, the Bauhaus buildings and the...
Stage Lutherstadt Wittenberg - Bad Belzig
From the Elbe to the gates of the capital Berlin stretches the Fläming. Endless expanses, dreamlike sunsets and varied nature make it easy to switch off here. In Fläming, creative minds, activity enthusiasts and culture lovers will find plenty of inspiration.
Stage Bad Belzig - Potsdam
From the thermal brine spa Bad Belzig, this tour leads via Beelitz-Heilstätten to Havelland, where Fontane was already on the move on his walks. The highlight at the end is the state capital Potsdam with its garden art at the highest level.
World Heritage Card - easy on the vacation budget
With this guest card, you only pay once and can experience 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites and use over 130 other art, culture, nature and leisure services free of charge.
More information at www.welterbecard.de.