Lenzen (Elbe)

Lenzen Castle: History and floodplain ecology

The castle developed from a Slavic royal castle into a European center for floodplain ecology, environmental education and visitor information. The “River Landscape in the Green Belt” exhibition focuses on the natural and cultural history of the river landscape. It extends over four floors, reaching into the dome of the medieval castle tower. The BUND visitor center also features various exhibitions, including one on the history of Lenzen.

The Museum of Urban History traces Lenzen’s development from prehistory and early history to the present day. A diorama with around 8,000 tin figures depicts the Battle of Lenzen in 929 between the Slavs and the East Frankish Empire. The town’s 1,000-year history can also be experienced in a section of the exhibition devoted to cultural history. Those interested in architectural history will also find St. Catherine’s Church in Lenzen: a three-aisled Late Gothic hall church with a transept and choir.

Old Town and nature experiences

The town center has largely retained its half-timbered character and has been lovingly restored in recent years. SEETOR.art, a gallery for contemporary art, is located in Lenzen’s Old Town. So, alongside the town’s history, architecture and art offer their own reasons to explore.

At Lenzen Castle, AuenReich combines nature experiences with learning. The circular trail is around 400 meters long and passes six stations that explain the function and biodiversity of a river floodplain. Visitors can create a river landscape there and see how it changes during a flood. In the castle park, a platform invites visitors to pause and learn about the nature and history of the biosphere reserve.

The Nature Poetry Garden in the castle park brings nature and poetry together: nine works of art and quotes on natural philosophy are displayed along the path. The garden includes a natural pond, flower-rich herb meadows, perennial beds and clusters of trees and shrubs. These areas provide habitats and opportunities for observing butterflies, grasshoppers, bats and amphibians.

Routes through the river landscape

Those looking to combine a visit to Lenzen with a longer bike ride will find the town and castle directly on the 195-kilometer Four-Country Border Cycle Route. It explores the region in the Green Belt between the Elbe, Altmark and Wendland. The Lenzerwische Tour runs from Lenzen along the Elbe dike; after around 26 kilometers, you return to the starting point, with the tower of Lenzen Castle visible in the distance.

The surrounding area can also be explored on foot along a variety of routes. The 14-kilometer Auenwildnis circular hiking trail starts just outside Lenzen and passes through floodplain forests, along the Elbe dike and over a former ferry embankment. After the Elbe dike was relocated, 400 hectares of habitat for many rare plants and animals were created there. At the site, the elevated “Auenblick” observation platform invites visitors to linger and enjoy views of the new floodplain wilderness.

The Rambower Moor lies a few kilometers from Lenzen. Its distinctive flora and fauna make it one of the most beautiful through-flow mires in Brandenburg. Its diverse habitats can be explored on a 12-kilometer circular trail. The Pocket PC guide for the BiberBurgenTour can also be rented at the Lenzen Castle visitor center for 9 euros per day.

More town pages

More town pages: Mansfeld, Gumtow, Weisen, Lenzerwische, Plattenburg, Halenbeck-Rohlsdorf, Wootz and Bad Wilsnack/Weisen.

Go to the main travel overview: Prignitz.