Oberhavel: Castle History, Industrial Heritage and Nature

Oberhavel is part of the Ruppiner Seenland tourism region. When planning a hotel stay, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: Oranienburg combines palace and museum themes, Mildenberg focuses on industrial heritage and a seasonal locomotive ride, while Stechlin offers a nature exhibition and trails. These different points of interest can help you identify which places matter when looking for a suitable hotel location.

Palace History and Memorial in Oranienburg

Oranienburg Palace is the oldest Baroque palace in the Margraviate of Brandenburg. The palace museum displays famous 17th-century works of art, as well as a unique Silver Chamber and an impressive Porcelain Chamber. One exhibition room of the Oberhavel Regional Museum in the palace is devoted exclusively to the history of Oranienburg Palace. Its displays span the period from the Ascanian castle built around 1200 to its present-day use.

The Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum in Oranienburg offers a different historical perspective. Its 13 smaller permanent exhibitions provide information on various aspects of the site's history; together, they also form a modern museum of contemporary history. The memorial and museum are about a 20-minute walk from Oranienburg railway station. Check access information again before your trip.

Oranienburg Palace Park complements the cultural attractions with a large play area for children, including climbing rocks, bouncy cushions, trampolines, swings, slacklines and a playhouse. Seasonal water features include a muddy trail, spray features, an eight-metre-long play whale and water-spouting volcanoes. Facilities and operating schedules may change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Industrial Heritage, Cycling and Waterways

Mildenberg Brickworks Park is an industrial heritage site set in nature, in the heart of the Zehdenick clay-pit landscape and right on the Havel. Seasonal activities include driving a locomotive yourself and earning a brickworks railway driving licence. The ride in a real diesel locomotive lasts half an hour; participants learn how to start, brake and change the points. Dates and booking conditions may change, so check them in advance.

The Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route passes through the town of Zehdenick. For hiking, the 66 Lakes Trail and the European long-distance hiking trail E10 pass through Oberhavel. In Brandenburg, the 66 Lakes Trail is considered the best-known hiking trail; it is marked with a blue dot on a white background.

Numerous marinas and moorings offer services to boaters in Zehdenick, Hennigsdorf, Fürstenberg/Havel and at Mildenberg Brickworks Park. These waterways add their own points of interest for boat trips to the choice of cycling and hiking routes.

Stechlin: Nature, the Senses and Literature

The Stechlin Nature Reserve is shaped by features created during the Weichselian glaciation and is considered the area with the most bodies of water in the state of Brandenburg. At the Stechlin Nature Park House, an interactive exhibition presents the special features of Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park. Next to the building, the sensory garden invites visitors to taste, smell, touch and listen to herbs, shrubs and other plants.

The approximately 6 km forest and water trail around Roofensee can complement a visit to the Nature Park House. The exhibition, sensory garden and trail offer different ways to experience nature: through information, the senses and movement along a forest and water trail. A literary connection is offered by THEOsWEG: it leads from Meseberg to Neuglobsow, following in Theodor Fontane's footsteps past places that inspired his works, particularly “Wanderings through the March of Brandenburg” and the novel “The Stechlin.”

The Stechlin Lake Circular Trail can be reached on the RE 5 train, as well as on bus routes 836 from Gransee and 839 from Fürstenberg/Havel to Neuglobsow. Check timetables before travelling.

The themes described can help you choose a hotel location: palace and museum attractions in Oranienburg, industrial and water-related attractions around Mildenberg and Zehdenick, and nature exhibitions and trails in the Stechlin area. Decide which activities will shape your trip, and tailor your search accordingly.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sonnenberg, Gransee, Birkenwerder, Hennigsdorf, Hohen Neuendorf, Liebenberg, Liebenwalde, Zehdenick, Oranienburg, Fürstenberg/Havel, Stechlin, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Mühlenbecker Land, Amalienfelde, Wesendorf, Kremmen, Löwenberger Land, Leegebruch, Oberkrämer, Zehlendorf, Großmutz, Schönermark, Großwoltersdorf.

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