Discover Großwoltersdorf

Castles and manor houses at a scale of 1:25

At the miniature park at Gut Zernikow, castles and manor houses from the region have been faithfully recreated at a scale of 1:25. The models can be viewed between the old sheepfold, which houses the “Bric à Brac” crêperie, and the Old Distillery. The scale makes the reduced-size buildings easy to compare: one centimetre on a model corresponds to 25 centimetres on the original. This makes it possible to focus on shapes and proportions, rather than just the names of the estates depicted.

Gut Zernikow thus gives visitors to Großwoltersdorf a specific point of interest, especially those interested in historic buildings. The miniatures can be viewed on site; check current access arrangements before setting out. If you are planning beyond the immediate area, you can also explore the attractions in the wider destination of Oberhavel. They add further themes to the local cultural focus without requiring a specific excursion.

Oberhavel: castle history and sites of contemporary history

Oberhavel is part of the Ruppiner Seenland tourism region. Oranienburg is home to the oldest Baroque palace in the Margraviate of Brandenburg. The palace museum displays famous 17th-century works of art, as well as a silver chamber and a porcelain chamber. An exhibition room of the Oberhavel Regional Museum in the palace is devoted exclusively to the history of Oranienburg Palace. Its story spans from the Ascanian castle built around 1200 to its present-day use.

The Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum in Oranienburg offers a different historical perspective. Its 13 smaller permanent exhibitions cover various aspects of the site's history; the institution is also a modern museum of contemporary history. It is about a 20-minute walk from Oranienburg railway station. Since the route information should be checked again before travelling, it is a good idea to take a quick look at the latest visitor information.

Enjoy nature and choose your routes

Nature is also a central theme in the wider destination of Oberhavel. The Stechlin Nature Reserve is shaped by formations created during the Weichselian glaciation and is considered the area with the most water bodies in the state of Brandenburg. An interactive exhibition at the Stechlin Nature Park Centre introduces visitors to the special features of the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park. Right next door, a sensory garden with herbs, shrubs and other plants invites visitors to taste, smell, touch and listen. The approximately six-kilometre forest and water discovery trail around Roofensee can complement a visit to the Nature Park Centre.

For a different kind of nature experience, THEOsWEG runs from Meseberg to Neuglobsow, following in Theodor Fontane's footsteps. The route passes places that inspired his works, including “Walks through the March of Brandenburg” and the novel “Der Stechlin”. The 66 Lakes Hiking Trail and European long-distance path E 10 also pass through Oberhavel district. For those who want to travel by bicycle, the Berlin–Copenhagen long-distance cycle route runs through the town of Zehdenick.

The Stechlinsee circular trail can be reached by RE 5 and by bus routes 836 from Gransee and 839 from Fürstenberg/Havel to Neuglobsow. Check the timetables before travelling so you can plan your journey using the current connections. The different routes offer different ways to get moving: a longer Fontane trail, hiking routes through Oberhavel and a cycle route through Zehdenick. No information about difficulty or walking times is provided.

Active experiences and regional highlights

For children, Oranienburg Palace Park has a large play area with climbing rocks, inflatable jumping cushions, trampolines, swings, slacklines and a playhouse. There is also a water-play area with a muddy track, spray features, an eight-metre-long whale to play on and water-spewing volcanoes. Facilities and operating conditions may change; check which activities are currently available before visiting.

At Mildenberg Brickworks Park, industrial heritage meets the Zehdenick clay-pit landscape: this industrial monument is located right beside the Havel. As a seasonal activity, visitors can drive a locomotive themselves and obtain a brickworks railway driver's licence. They spend half an hour driving a real diesel locomotive and learn how to set off, brake and change the points. Check the dates and booking conditions for this seasonal activity in advance.

Boat travellers will also find practical stopping points in Oberhavel: numerous marinas and moorings offer services in Zehdenick, Hennigsdorf, Fürstenberg/Havel and at Mildenberg Brickworks Park. Visitors staying on a farm in Oberhavel can also enjoy products from regional producers.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Leegebruch, Gransee, Fürstenberg/Havel, Oberkrämer, Kremmen, Liebenwalde, Oranienburg, Löwenberger Land

To the overview of the wider destination: Oberhavel.