Mittenwalde: Church, Local History Museum and Notte Canal

Mittenwalde can be explored through two distinct themes: architectural and urban history, and waterways. In the town centre stands St. Moritz, a three-aisled brick hall church dating from the 13th century. The Notte Canal also passes through Mittenwalde and is one of the oldest shipping routes in the Mark Brandenburg. It is about 25 kilometres long. This gives you cultural points of interest and activities on the canals to choose from when planning your trip. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay most.

St. Moritz Church and Paul Gerhardt

St. Moritz Church is clearly defined by its location in the town centre, its brick construction and its three-aisled design. Paul Gerhardt is also associated with the church: Mittenwalde honoured him with a monument at St. Moritz. This offers two distinct starting points for planning a culture-focused trip—the church as a 13th-century building and the monument as a separate feature of the townscape. These details help you define your cultural interests for your stay without conflating the church’s architectural history with other themes.

The Local History Museum at Salzmarkt adds historical exhibits spread over three floors to this focus. It also features information about Paul Gerhardt’s life and work, a vineyard and a small forge showcasing traditional crafts. Its subjects range from local history to a personal portrait and craftsmanship. You can encounter Paul Gerhardt both at the museum and at the monument by St. Moritz Church; these two connections can be considered together when planning your trip. The museum’s listed contents describe the institution but do not guarantee unrestricted opening hours.

Canals, Rail Bikes and Guided Town Tours

In addition to its significance as a shipping route, the Notte Canal offers access to activities on the water. Paddlers and boaters can travel along the canals from the lock in Mittenwalde to Lake Motzen. As navigational conditions may vary, it is advisable to check them before planning your trip. The figure of about 25 kilometres refers to the length of the Notte Canal; the journey described starts at the lock in Mittenwalde and ends at Lake Motzen.

Another option is a ride on a hand-operated or pedal-powered rail bike, departing from Ostbahnhof 1 in Mittenwalde. The water route and the rail-bike ride differ both in the activity and in their stated starting points. Check with the operator for current availability of rail-bike rides. Guided tours of Mittenwalde introduce visitors to this historic town of farming burghers; the listed sights include St. Moritz Church and the Local History Museum. Advance registration and a minimum group size are required for these tours.

Dahme-Spreewald as a Wider Destination

In the district of Dahme-Spreewald, the Dahme Lake District and the Spreewald together make up the Dahme-Spreewald travel region. Its natural, historical and cultural attractions include a cycle network of more than 1,000 kilometres. The well-developed, fully signposted routes connect landscapes and places to visit in the Spreewald and the Dahme Lake District. If you are planning a cycling trip in this wider destination, check route conditions in advance. The Dahme-Heideseen Nature Park, which covers more than 100 lakes, is also located in the districts of Dahme-Spreewald and Oder-Spree.

The region’s cultural attractions also extend beyond Mittenwalde. The Funkerberg Museum is located at the authentic site of Germany’s first radio broadcast: on 22 December 1920, a Christmas concert was broadcast from Königs Wusterhausen. Königs Wusterhausen Palace can only be visited on a guided tour. Visitors learn about the life and royal apartments of Frederick William I, as well as his era. With the Funkerberg Museum and Königs Wusterhausen Palace, Dahme-Spreewald offers further cultural attractions for a trip.

Discover more destinations: Lieberose, Kasel-Golzig, Krausnick-Groß Wasserburg, Byhleguhre-Byhlen, Straupitz, Luckau, Bersteland, Märkische Heide

Return to the wider travel overview: Dahme-Spreewald.