Großkmehlen: Castle History and the Kmehlener Hills

Großkmehlen Castle and Its History

A manor house in Großkmehlen is documented as far back as 1391; in 1499, the von Lüttichau family was enfeoffed with Großkmehlen. After the Second World War, Großkmehlen Castle served as a retirement home until 1997 and then stood empty. This places the area’s early history and a specific later use of the castle in different periods.

The Silbermann Organ: Contract and Second Dedication

The history of the Silbermann organ in Großkmehlen is documented by a contract signed with Gottfried Silbermann on January 11, 1717. The client was Johanna Eleonore, widow of General von Brauße; the agreed payment was 1,000 thalers. Following restoration, the organ was dedicated for a second time in 1996 with a concert by Matthias Eisenberg. The names, contract date, and agreed sum make this part of the area’s history concrete and connect it with a later historical milestone.

Hiking Through the Kmehlener Hills

The hike through the Kmehlener Hills passes the remains of a former ski jump. The cleared strip of the former landing slope is particularly easy to make out. The former landing area is thus part of the landscape along the described route; the forest path, ridge, and visible trace in the terrain give the tour a variety of facets. If you place different emphasis on culture and activity, you can consider the hike as a focus in its own right, alongside the castle and its organ history.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Großkmehlen, the focus of your trip may be the deciding factor: castle and music history, or activity on signposted forest paths. If you would like to combine both, the castle, organ history, and Kmehlener Hills can each provide a different focus for your plans.

The Wider Region: Oberspreewald-Lausitz

In the wider travel destination of Oberspreewald-Lausitz, the district has hiking routes ranging from 4 to 32 km in length. More than 580 km of signposted cycle routes connect the areas between the Spreewald and the Kmehlener Hills, as well as linking southern Brandenburg with Saxony and northern Brandenburg. The district also has cycle routes of 40 km or more, including individual or guided multi-day tours with good places to rest and eat along the way. These different route options can help you plan if you are considering longer cycling trips as well as a hike.

In the south of the district, the flooding of former open-cast mines is creating a waterside landscape with more than 20 artificial lakes: the Lusatian Lake District. Cultural destinations are also part of the regional picture: the historic old town of Lübbenau/Spreewald includes a Neoclassical castle ensemble.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Frauwalde, Altdöbern, Großräschen, Kroppen, Hohenbocka, Schipkau, Laasow, Ruhland

Back to the main travel overview: Oberspreewald-Lausitz.