Groß Kreutz (Havel): Discover Nature and History

Salt Meadow, Lakes and the Havel Shore

In Jeseriger Bruch, within the Rietzer See Nature Reserve, lies a very well-preserved salt meadow covering more than ten hectares. Specialized salt-tolerant plants grow there, including sea arrowgrass and saltmarsh rush. The several hundred thousand sea asters are particularly impressive. The plant life makes this natural area a destination in its own right for anyone who wants to pay closer attention to landscapes and vegetation while travelling.

The character of the Deetzer Erdelöcher is different: clay was extracted from the former pits for the surrounding brickworks for more than a century. Today, the pits are filled with water. Among the trees and reeds, the small and large lakes form a labyrinth. The contrast between a historically shaped landscape and abundant plant life offers different ways to explore nature, without one replacing the other.

Cycling, Hiking and Swimming

The Havel Cycle Route passes through Götz and the Götzer Berge hills. Visitors can also explore the local flora and fauna in Deetz, where hiking trails and the Havel Cycle Route, opened in 2008, are available. This makes it possible to plan a trip by bike or on foot, depending on which mode of travel you want to focus on.

Several well-signposted paths lead through pine forests to the observation tower in the Götzer Berge hills. The hike from Götz to the tower is about 4 km long. This approximate distance can help with planning the day; it does not include an estimate of the time required or an assessment of the route. There is also a Havel bathing spot at Deetzer Ablage, with a particularly gentle entry into the water. The range of activities therefore includes swimming as well as cycling and hiking.

Church, Aviation History and Telegraphy

The village church of Groß Kreutz was built in the 13th century as a fieldstone church with a narrower chancel and a western tower. Its furnishings include a pulpit altar dating from 1722 and an organ built in 1800. The architectural style and the different dates of the two furnishings offer the church its own perspective on art and architectural history.

In Krielow, a memorial stone and a monument on Mühlenberg commemorate Otto Lilienthal’s successful glider flights in 1891. They covered distances of up to 25 metres. Anyone interested in the history of aviation will find a direct connection here to Lilienthal’s early flight experiments.

The Telegraph Station No. 6 Schenkenberg tells a different story of technology. The memorial site, established in 2016, commemorates the Royal Prussian Optical Telegraph Line, which operated from 1832 to 1849. The information tower with its signal mast contains display panels about optical telegraphy and the Telegraph Cycle Route. Together with the church and the Lilienthal memorial sites, it shows how varied the historical themes are across the local districts.

Getting Here and Choosing a Base

For train travel, the stations at Groß Kreutz and Götz are relevant. Both are on the Berlin–Potsdam–Brandenburg–Magdeburg railway line and are served by regional express train RE1. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may be helpful to first work out which station is most relevant for your journey. Choosing between nature experiences, cycling, swimming and cultural history can also help you decide which aspects of your stay to prioritize when searching.

More Local Pages

Gräben, Nuthetal, Niemegk, Seddiner See, Päwesin, Schwielowsee, Ziesar, Babelsberg.

For the broader travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.