Ziesar: Discover the Castle, Town History and Trails
Accommodation in Ziesar
Ziesar combines the history of a medieval episcopal residence with museums, a late Romanesque town church and trails through a varied landscape. Those looking to focus their trip on culture will find different ways to explore history at the castle and in town. Hiking and cycling trails offer an active contrast.
Ziesar Castle and its history
Ziesar Castle was a residence of the bishops of Brandenburg and is the only surviving example of court culture in the late medieval Margraviate of Brandenburg. Since 2005, it has housed the Museum of Brandenburg Church and Cultural History of the Middle Ages. The museum includes the permanent exhibition “Paths to the Heavenly City, Bishop-Faith-Rule 800–1550”—its title spans the period from 800 to 1550.
The Jerusalem Room is a particular highlight. Built in the 1330s, it features remnants of extensive wall paintings from that period. These include a Majestas Domini depiction and a large-format map, which has so far been interpreted as a depiction of the Heavenly Jerusalem. The cautious interpretation of the map is part of the room’s history, alongside the paintings themselves.
The keep offers a different view of Ziesar: from there, the view extends across the town and its surroundings. The keep can be reached by climbing 125 steps to a height of 35 m, up to the so-called Bishop’s Mitre, which was built in the Renaissance style after 1528. If you plan to visit the tower, check current access arrangements before your visit.
Town history at the museum and church
The Ziesar Local History Museum displays evidence of the town’s historical development across approximately 200 m². It is located in the castle complex’s former farmyard. The history of the town and that of the castle complex are therefore the focus at two distinct, clearly identified locations.
The Local History Museum is open on the first Sunday of every month from 10 am to 5 pm. Additional openings can be arranged by agreement with the Cultural and Local History Association. Check the opening hours before your visit, especially if you are planning to come on a particular date.
Another historic destination in town is the Church of the Holy Cross in Ziesar. This single-nave, late Romanesque church was built from fieldstones in the 13th century. Its distinctive, rectangular west tower defines its architecture. The castle, local history museum and town church each offer a different starting point for exploring Ziesar’s history.
Hiking trails and cycling routes around Ziesar
Nature Park Circular Hiking Trail 51, “Alte See,” begins and ends at the Mühlentor in Ziesar. The landscape changes along the former lakeshore: alder carrs and willow thickets give way to reed beds, wet meadows with rare plants and dry embankments. For public transport, one option is to take the RE 1 to Wusterwitz and then a bus to Ziesar. Check connections before travelling.
Those comparing routes by length will find two clearly different options: Nature Park Circular Hiking Trail 50 starts in Ziesar and runs for 15 km through the surroundings of the historic farming town. The 147 km-long Castle Trail passes through Ziesar and links Eisenhardt Castle in Bad Belzig, Rabenstein Castle in Raben, Wiesenburg Palace and the episcopal residence in Ziesar. It connects several castles and palaces over a longer route.
There is also a named cycling route: a newly built cycle path along the former railway line connects Ziesar with the pottery town of Görzke. The route offers a different way to travel between the two towns than the hiking trails. Which route you choose depends on whether you want to focus on the landscape around Alte See, a hike through the surrounding area or the longer castle route.
Ziesar as a base for your trip
If you mainly want to explore the castle, museums and town history, you can consider Ziesar as a base when choosing your holiday apartment. The hiking routes differ in their starting and finishing point at the Mühlentor, their stated length or their links between several castles. Another route follows the former railway line to Görzke by bike. These differences can help you match your planned activities to your choice of destination, without treating the routes as interchangeable outings.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Gräben, Niemegk, Wiesenburg/Mark, Radewege, Päwesin, Borkheide, Kleinmachnow, Geltow.
Return to the regional travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.
