Straupitz (Spreewald): Schinkel Church, Mill and Spreewald Railway
Accommodation in Straupitz
Straupitz (Spreewald) can be explored through a variety of themes: a church with two towers visible from far away, a distinctive windmill, the history of the Spreewald Railway and a natural monument. There are also hiking and cycling tours in and around the town. This gives you a choice for your holiday plans between architectural and technological history and outdoor activities.
Church, Granary and Windmill
The Straupitz Granary is part of the castle grounds and lies between the Schinkel Church and Straupitz Castle. The Friends of the Straupitz Granary association runs a local history exhibition and a café in the building. If you would like to include both in your visit, check opening arrangements beforehand.
The Schinkel Church was consecrated on 5 August 1832. Its two towers are a landmark in the Spreewald and can be seen from far beyond Straupitz. Its history also offers a distinct perspective on the town: planning began in 1826. Karl Friedrich Schinkel was asked to prepare a design on 28 October and sent it on 12 November. Alongside the visible building, there are also specific milestones in its planning.
Another distinctive building is the Dutch windmill in Straupitz. It is Europe's last functioning triple windmill. As its operating status may change, check before your trip if you would like to include the mill in your plans.
Traces of the Spreewald Railway and a Natural Monument
Straupitz was the operating centre of the metre-gauge Spreewald Railway. It carried passengers from 1898 to 1970; lines from Straupitz ran to Lübben, Goyatz, Lieberose and Cottbus. At the former Straupitz station, the IG Spreewaldbahn association is assembling an exhibition featuring many original railcars. The railway's history thus has both a historical connection to the town and a current exhibition project.
One natural attraction is the Florentine Oak, also known as Florentine: a dead English oak in the Byttnahain near Straupitz, listed as a natural monument. The walking and cycling tours on offer, by contrast, focus on outdoor activities in and around the town. They start at the tourist information office on Kirchstraße; guided tours can also be booked. Ask there about current arrangements.
Which themes suit your stay?
If you are considering Straupitz as a base for a holiday apartment, you can make your choice according to the experiences that interest you most. The Schinkel Church, the granary, the windmill and the Spreewald Railway offer different ways to explore history and technology. If you would like to plan walking or cycling tours, you can make the available tours a focus of your stay and ask the tourist information office about guided options. This turns the town's attractions into practical guidance for planning your stay, without every day having to follow the same pattern.
Dahme-Spreewald as a wider setting
The wider Dahme-Spreewald travel region brings together natural, historical and cultural themes. The Dahme Lake District, together with the Spreewald, is part of the travel region in Dahme-Spreewald district. More than 1,000 kilometres of well-maintained, fully signposted cycling paths connect landscapes and destinations in the Spreewald and the Dahme Lake District. Check the relevant conditions before setting out on a cycling tour.
The Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park offers another perspective on the landscape. Located in the districts of Dahme-Spreewald and Oder-Spree, it encompasses more than 100 lakes. These regional attractions complement Straupitz's specific buildings, railway history and tours with a broader view of Dahme-Spreewald. Consider whether the places mentioned and their history are the main focus of your stay, or whether you would also like to explore the wider landscape and cycling region.
Discover more destinations: Märkische Heide, Mittenwalde, Bersteland, Golßen, Halbe, Königs Wusterhausen, Schwerin, Bestensee
Go to the main travel overview: Dahme-Spreewald.
