Calau between Urban History and Nature
Accommodation in Calau
In Calau, architectural history, exhibitions and paths through the countryside come together. The guided town tour, the seasonally operated leisure pool and the cycling and hiking route to the “Hölle” erosion valley offer different experiences. When planning your trip, consider whether you mainly want to discover the town’s history, spend time outdoors or combine both.
Churches, Half-Timbered Buildings and Calau’s Urban History
Calau’s town church offers a striking glimpse into architectural history: construction of the late Gothic, three-aisled church is dated to before 1400. The Wendish Church, also known as the country church, is likewise part of the town’s architectural heritage; it has had its present form since 1666. The different names and dates give you specific points of reference if you want to explore the churches and their history.
The local history museum is housed in the old girls’ school, a half-timbered building dating from 1789, right next to the town church. This brings together a former school building, half-timbered construction and the church’s proximity in one place. In addition, the Calau Local History Association (Heimatverein Calau e.V.) regularly presents special themed exhibitions at the House of Local History. These exhibitions feature changing themes and complement the building’s enduring architectural interest with a variety of subjects.
A guided tour passes, among other places, the Evangelical Town Church and the town hall, introducing visitors to the town’s eventful history. This allows you to see the buildings mentioned as part of a single town tour. Climbing to the observation platform of Calau’s town church is another visitor experience; check in advance what options are currently available. The Witz Trail was inaugurated by the Town of Calau in 2011 and adds to the reasons to explore the town.
On the Way to the “Hölle” and at the Leisure Pool
A cycling and hiking route, 14 kilometres long in total, leads from Calau railway station towards Plieskendorf. It passes Weinberg and climbs uphill to the “Hölle”, a valley formed by erosion with natural vegetation and several springs. The route thus combines a specific distance and direction with a clearly named destination in the landscape. If you plan to follow the route, these details can help you; checking for current route information before setting off is also a good idea.
For a different kind of outing, Calau Leisure Pool is another option. It has a separate pool for swimmers, non-swimmers and toddlers, as well as a large water slide and a mushroom fountain. As the outdoor pool operates seasonally, check its current opening hours before visiting. This helps you fit a day at the pool into your travel plans without treating it as equivalent to architectural history and town tours, which are of interest year-round.
When choosing a holiday apartment, your preferred focus may be the deciding factor: the churches, museum and town tour bring Calau’s history into focus, while the 14-kilometre route takes cyclists and hikers towards the erosion valley. If the leisure pool is part of your plans, take its seasonal operation into account.
Oberspreewald-Lausitz as a Wider Travel Destination
The wider destination of Oberspreewald-Lausitz also offers activities on a range of scales. The district of Oberspreewald-Lausitz has hiking routes between 4 and 32 kilometres long. For cycling trips, there are routes from 40 kilometres upwards, including individual or guided multi-day tours with good opportunities to stop for a break and refreshments. The 14-kilometre route starting at Calau railway station can be considered a separate, specifically described option.
More than 580 kilometres of signposted cycling and hiking trails connect the regions between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Berge, as well as linking southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. In the south of the district, the flooding of former open-cast mines is creating a water landscape with more than 20 artificial lakes: the Lusatian Lake District. Another cultural highlight is the classical palace ensemble in the historic old town of Lübbenau/Spreewald. For your travel plans, Oberspreewald-Lausitz thus offers a range of focuses: cycling, lake landscapes and historic urban culture.
Discover more destinations: Laasow, Raddusch, Vetschau/Spreewald, Hermsdorf, Schipkau, Gosda, Großräschen, Altdöbern.
View the wider travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.
