Wildau: Industrial Heritage, Architecture and Green Discoveries

Industrial history in old and new buildings

Historic industrial buildings stand alongside new ones on the campus of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau. Locomotives were once manufactured in the older buildings. The blend of old and new repeatedly attracts visitors interested in architecture as well as students, making the campus a destination for anyone interested in the area’s architectural history. Listed historic factory halls stand on the former site of the locomotive factory; some of them now house parts of the university.

Another way to explore Wildau’s industrial history is to visit the Schwartzkopff housing estate. It is the workers’ settlement associated with the historic industrial complex and has largely retained its original fabric. The estate is a listed monument and was renovated in recent years, winning awards. Its buildings give concrete form to the former connection between industry and housing. You can explore the complex from the outside at any time and at your own pace—a visit that lets you take in the architecture independently of a guided tour.

Church, concerts and exhibitions

Wildau’s Church of Peace was built between 1909 and 1911 to plans by Royal Building Councillor Georg Büttner and is a listed monument. Its architecture is influenced by Art Nouveau and the village church movement. These two influences give the building a distinctive architectural character. The Church of Peace frequently hosts concerts featuring internationally successful artists, local choirs or instrumental groups. Architecture and music thus offer different reasons to include the church as a cultural highlight in your stay.

Wildau’s Volkshaus is also part of the cultural offering: exhibitions are held there regularly. Together with the concerts at the Church of Peace, it gives you a choice of different cultural events, without requiring you to limit your stay to just one kind of discovery.

Walks between the spa park and Tonteich

Information boards in Wildau Spa Park explain the origins of the plants and the lives of the animals found there. The restored park invites families to take a stroll. The plants and wildlife add another dimension of discovery to a visit to the park, particularly if you are travelling with children and want to explore nature-related topics.

The Dahme Trail offers another walking option: the walk, just under four kilometres long, begins at the end of the market square in Wildau, directly opposite the S-Bahn station. You can take the stated distance into account when planning your day. Another nature destination, Tonteich, lies in the Lauseberge: this body of water is a former extraction site that has been preserved, is surrounded by deciduous woodland and is designated a protected natural area. So, alongside industrial history, woodland and a body of water with a history of use are also there for you to explore.

Wildau as a base for your holiday

The aspects that interest you most can shape the character of your stay: the factory halls, campus and workers’ settlement draw attention to architecture and industrial history, while the spa park, Dahme Trail and Tonteich offer a different focus. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Wildau, you can choose one based on the kinds of discoveries you want to include in your trip. Families may enjoy a mix of cultural interests and walks, while visitors interested in architecture can focus on the historic buildings and their different uses.

More places to explore: Zeuthen, Jamlitz, Unterspreewald, Teupitz, Schlepzig, Groß Köris, Eichwalde and Bersteland.

For the overview of the wider region: Dahme-Spreewald.