Wildau: Industrial Heritage, Architecture and Walks

Wildau combines listed buildings and the history of locomotive manufacturing with concerts, exhibitions and walks. The Friedenskirche and Schwartzkopff-Siedlung represent the town’s architectural heritage; on the former factory site, some historic halls now house parts of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau. Kurpark, Tonteich and the Dahme walking trail offer other perspectives on the town. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on architecture and industrial heritage, cultural events or walks outdoors.

Friedenskirche, workers’ settlement and campus

The Friedenskirche in Wildau was built between 1909 and 1911 to plans by Royal Building Officer Georg Büttner and is a listed building. Its architecture is influenced by Art Nouveau and the village church movement. This gives anyone interested in architectural history two distinct points of reference: its connection with Art Nouveau and its place within the village church movement.

The Schwartzkopff-Siedlung, the workers’ settlement of the historic industrial complex, is part of Wildau’s industrial history. It has largely retained its original fabric, is a listed site and has undergone award-winning restoration in recent years. You can explore the grounds from the outside at any time on your own. Before visiting, check whether this condition still applies; the settlement can explicitly be viewed from the outside.

The former locomotive factory site includes listed historic factory halls. Some of them now house parts of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau. On campus, historic industrial buildings where locomotives were once manufactured stand alongside new buildings. The mix of old and new continues to attract visitors interested in architecture, as well as students. In this way, the campus combines its former industrial use with its present-day identity as a university, without placing the emphasis on any one architectural style.

Concerts and exhibitions

Music and exhibitions are also part of Wildau’s cultural life. The Friedenskirche frequently hosts concerts featuring internationally successful artists, local choirs or instrumental groups. The Volkshaus regularly hosts exhibitions. The two venues therefore offer different cultural experiences: concerts at the church and exhibitions at the Volkshaus. If you would like to include an event in your plans, check the latest announcements in advance.

Walks and nature in Wildau

A walk of just under four kilometres along the Dahme walking trail starts at the end of the market square in Wildau, directly opposite the S-Bahn station. The length and starting point give you concrete guidance for planning your walk. If you are looking for a different outdoor experience, Tonteich in the Lauseberge is a former excavation site that has been preserved: a body of water is surrounded by deciduous forest, and the area is designated as a nature monument.

Kurpark offers a distinctive experience of its own. Its information boards explain the origins of the plants and describe the lives of the animals found there. The restored park invites families to take a walk. The outdoor options therefore differ in focus: the Dahme walking trail offers a walk with a named starting point and stated length, Tonteich is defined by its water and deciduous forest, and information boards enhance a visit to Kurpark.

Discover more destinations: Schlepzig, Lübben, Märkische Heide, Heidesee, Schönefeld, Groß Köris, Eichwalde, Kasel-Golzig

Go to the overview of the wider region: Dahme-Spreewald.