monk's tour

121,00 km
Start: Neuzelle train station 15898 Neuzelle
Destination: 15898 Neuzelle

monk's tour
Experience culture. Discover nature. Explore history. An inspiring journey through time by bike. through the life and work of the Cistercian monks.
This landscape has captivated people for centuries. Here, Cistercian monks found peace and tranquility, transforming wild nature into a fascinating cultural landscape. On this two-day cycling tour through the monastery region between the Oder River, Neuzelle, and the Schlaubetal valley, you can experience this heritage firsthand as you cycle along rivers and streams, immersing yourself in a world full of stories.
Opening at the Baroque wonder of Neuzelle
Neuzelle Monastery is rightly considered a "Baroque wonder of Brandenburg." Its unique splendor is owed to the danger it faced as a Catholic monastery during the Reformation: to withstand Protestant austerity, the monastery church was embellished until it shone beyond measure. This wonder continues to this day, as the resettlement of monks has once again brought a vibrant monastic life to the monastery.
Tip: Take the time to explore the monastery complex with its "Heavenly Theatre" museum and magnificent garden. Early risers can listen to the monks' morning chants in St. Mary's Abbey Church as the first rays of sunshine flood the interior.
The tour leads into the Dorche Valley with its ancient forests, wetlands, and small gorges. Along the stream, the Cistercians operated six mills, of which the Schwerzkow Mill is still functional today. The monks "imported" this then-modern technology from Italy. A walk around the millponds is worthwhile.
The monks became physical over beer.
The path leads gently uphill through a cool forest to Wellmitz, once an important monastic estate. The town became famous for the "Wellmitz Beer Mile Dispute," which even occupied the attention of the Emperor in Vienna. The monks insisted on their brewing monopoly and enforced their right to sell beer by confiscating other brewers' beer and immediately serving it to "women and children."
From small river to great river
The route continues by bicycle to Coschen on the Neisse River. The village was originally founded as an outlying farm of the monastery – one of many isolated agricultural operations in the lowlands, which were only made arable through the monks' construction of dikes. Following the expansive floodplains of the Neisse, the route reaches Ratzdorf. Here, the Neisse and Oder rivers merge to form a striking waterscape. The monks used this former shipping village as an important transshipment point for their goods and attempted to curb the boatmen's nightly revelry with a strict set of rules governing their meetings. As a result, many of Ratzdorf's inhabitants converted to Protestantism.
The route continues along the Oder River. To the left, the silhouette of the monastery rises above the meadows, while a wide floodplain opens up towards the river. Soon, the historic old town of Fürstenberg comes into view, where the construction of the dike to Ratzdorf once began – a project of unimaginable scale, for which the monks enlisted 150 citizens to work for over three decades.
It rolls effortlessly through the Ziltendorf lowlands. Your gaze sweeps across the expanse of reeds, ditches, and meadows. This mosaic of habitats makes the lowlands an interesting birdwatching spot year-round. Even in the Middle Ages, the floodplains around Aurith offered ideal conditions for monastic beekeeping.
Forest fires in the border region
Near Brieskow, the route follows the Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal, which once connected the Spree and Oder rivers and today enchants visitors with its magical charm. The canal also formed the border between the lands of the Neuzelle and Frankfurt monasteries. Ownership of these lands changed hands constantly. Since both orders were not known for their gentle treatment of their subjects, the farmers from Lindow, in particular, went on strike and repeatedly set fire to the forests in protest.
In idyllic Kaisermühl, you cross the Oder-Spree Canal and pass the historic Kaisermühle mill, which invites you to stop for refreshments on the banks of the Schlaube river. From here, it's not far to the Großer Müllroser See (Great Müllrose Lake). A must-do to finish: Pause on the town promenade and let your gaze wander across the vast expanse of the lake.
Look around in the Schlaubetal: a name that invites the imagination.
From Müllrose, you'll immerse yourself in the Schlaubetal, Brandenburg's most beautiful stream valley. The tour leads you to the historic Ragow Mill, a place straight out of a fairytale. Here you can take a moment on the small bridge to listen to the babbling of the Schlaube River, or treat yourself to a break at the inn.
The journey continues to Siehdichum. For the monks, the forest was an important source of income; in many places, it was cleared – here, however, it was deliberately left untouched, and a hunting lodge was built in the most beautiful spot on the Schlaube river as a place of recreation. The name remains true to this day: Look around – beautiful views over the Hammersee in the valley open up time and again, for example from the former hunting lodge, which now welcomes guests as a forester's lodge.
Of fake fish and counterfeiters
You reach Lake Wirchensee, which the monks used for fish farming – fish was essential for their sustenance, especially during Lent. A story goes that, due to their craving for meat, they creatively interpreted the fasting rules: pigs were "declared fish" by being submerged in the water and then "fished" for. A short walk to the Försterblick viewpoint rewards you with a spectacular view from above.
The tour leaves the Schlaubetal valley and leads to Treppeln, where a piece of rebellious monastic history was written at what is now the Gasthof Köhler inn. Here, in the 18th century, peasant leader Georg Wollenberg planned his uprising. With forged documents, he so destabilized the monastery's economic system that the monks' lands had to be resurveyed. The uprising ended tragically: Wollenberg paid with his life.
Tip: Back in Neuzelle, follow the signposted path to Kulisch Berg and conclude the tour with a magnificent view from above of Brandenburg's baroque wonder.

Places: Neuzelle, Schwerzko, Wellnitz, Coschen, Ratzdorf, Fürstenberg, Aurith, Brieskow-Finkenheerd, Groß-Lindow, Kaisermühl, Müllrose, Mixdorf, Siehdichum, Dammendorf, Chossewitz, Treppeln, Neuzelle

Sights:

Neuzelle – baroque monastery complex, monastery brewery, “Strohhaus Neuzelle” museum
Schwerzko – Schwerzko Mill
Coschen
Ratzdorf – Bicycle Church, Oder-Neisse estuary
Eisenhüttenstadt – Documentation Center “Everyday Culture of the GDR”, Twin Shaft Lock
Groß Lindow – Friedrich Wilhelm Canal
Kaisermühle (near Müllrose)
Müllrose – Mill
Schernsdorf – Kupfermühle, Ragower Mühle
Chossewitz – half-timbered church, Klingemühle, Jankemühle
Stairs – Schlaubemühle
Kobbeln – giant boulders (Kobbelner Stein)

Refreshment tips: