Gröden: St. Martin’s Church, Heideberg and Trails

Discover Gröden through two very different impressions: the furnishings of St. Martin’s Church and trails for outings on foot or by bike. The churchyard, with its large old trees, and the Heideberg Tower also shape the character of the village. This combination gives you a practical point of reference when considering whether church art or active days should play a greater role in your trip.

St. Martin’s Church: Architecture and Artwork

St. Martin’s Church in Gröden has a flat ceiling in the nave, a gallery on three sides and a patron’s gallery in the choir. The different structural elements give the church interior a clear layout. The central shrine of a late Gothic carved altarpiece in the Hayn style depicts Mary with the Child, Peter with a key, and Martin with a beggar. The figures and their attributes make the altar a particularly detailed part of the church’s furnishings.

Other furnishings include a wooden pulpit basket from the second half of the 16th century and a triumphal cross dating from around 1400. Works from different periods stand side by side here. The Gothic sacristy portal adds another notable architectural detail. Those interested in architectural forms and religious art will find several specific points of interest in Gröden, rather than just a single focal point.

Heideberg Tower and Churchyard

The Heideberg Tower in Gröden was inaugurated on 15 August 2009. At an earlier time, the Heideberg Tower was inaccessible due to renovation work. Before planning a visit, check whether the tower is accessible again.

The churchyard is distinguished by its large old trees. Alongside the church’s individual features, this gives visitors their own impression of the surrounding area. The Heideberg Tower stair race is held every September in the vicinity of the destination. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific dates in advance.

Hiking, Cycling and Views

The Heideberg Circular Trail was established in 2005 and has welcomed cyclists and hikers since April of that year. It is mostly paved. At the same time, the trail goes uphill and downhill, is varied and is strenuous in places. The fact that it is paved alone does not indicate how demanding the entire route is. Compare these features with your own plans for the tour.

After leaving Gröden, the Heideberg Circular Trail passes through the Grödener Hills, by Eichberg and Heideberg. Nearby, Eichberg offers a view into the ancient glacial valley. In good visibility, you can see the F60 in Lichterfeld, Plessa Power Station and Winkpark Klettwitz from there. The view therefore depends on visibility; the named sights are not visible on the horizon regardless of the weather.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Gröden, you can start with your local interests: should church art be the main focus, or would you prefer to make more time for hiking and cycling? The Heideberg Circular Trail offers a different focus from the furnishings of St. Martin’s Church.

More destinations in the wider Elbe-Elster travel region

Industrial heritage and technology are among the standout themes in the wider Elbe-Elster travel region. The F60 visitor mine is in Elbe-Elster district, south of Lichterfeld. Plessa Power Station is one of Europe’s oldest lignite power stations and has retained its original structure. Visitors can see authentic power station technology from the 1920s there; the guided Coal Trail tour passes through the outdoor bunker, boiler house, turbine floor, control room and transformer area. In Domsdorf, the Louise briquette factory is Europe’s oldest preserved briquette factory. Visitors can experience working historic technology and discover steam engines there.

The region’s museum history offers another distinct focus. Since January 2015, four major museums in Elbe-Elster district have formed a joint museum association. Museum Mühlberg 1547 is dedicated to the meeting of the armies in 1547, which shaped the course of the Reformation, and bears the European Heritage Label. These themes provide a different focus from Gröden’s local St. Martin’s Church and can help guide you if you would like to include cultural history in your trip.

For nature and landscape enthusiasts, the Elbe-Elster region offers guided tours with a ranger from the Nature Watch service: visitors can identify birdsong, find rare plants and observe animals. Dates may vary, so it is advisable to check the current schedule. The 65-kilometre Apple Route includes a guided tour of the pomological garden in Döllingen. Viticulture in Schlieben offers another regional highlight: grapes have been grown again on the southern slope of Langer Berg since 1992; more than 2,000 vines of the Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus varieties now grow there. You can discover and taste Schlieben wine on a guided tour. Check in advance when tours are offered.

Discover more destinations: Plessa, Schönborn, Finsterwalde, Gorden-Staupitz, Fichtwald, Wahrenbrück, Sonnewalde, Falkenberg/Elster.

Return to the wider travel overview: Elbe-Elster.