Discover Zehdenick

Zehdenick can be understood through a range of very different themes: stone heads on the facades of Old Town buildings, the history of the monastery and its gardens, and a named cycling stage. The clay-pit landscape between Zehdenick and Burgwall is another nearby attraction. This gives you a choice of cultural themes and a specific cycling route when planning your trip.

Monastery history, gardens and Old Town

In the north wing of Zehdenick Monastery, the museum presents the history of the monastery, the nuns’ way of life and information about the Zehdenick altar cloth. The topics range from the history of the monastic complex and the lives of its residents to a special artefact. Visitors interested in several aspects of the monastery’s history will find them covered side by side in the museum.

For younger visitors, the museum offers a puzzle sheet about the nun Anna. At the end, there is a small keepsake for those who solve the puzzle. The activity adds a hands-on way to learn about a named historical figure.

The monastery complex also includes two differently designed gardens: an orchard meadow laid out in 2015 based on a historical model, and an herb display garden established in 2019. The dates help distinguish the two gardens; the first draws on a historical design, while the second focuses on herbs. The Brandenburg Monastery Trail also passes through Zehdenick, adding another spiritually themed point of interest.

In the Old Town, twelve stone heads known as the “good spirits of Zehdenick” adorn various building facades. They offer a distinct, small-scale connection to the town: rather than a museum room or a garden, the focus here is on the different facades and the heads themselves. The “good spirits” thus complement the monastery themes with another element of Zehdenick’s local character.

Clay Pits and Cycling Route

Nearby, the clay pits lie on both sides of the Havel between Zehdenick and Burgwall. They gradually filled with water and today form a landscape unique in Germany. This natural landscape arose from industrialisation in the 19th century. The clay pits are therefore quite different from the cultural and garden themes at the monastery: here, the industrial origins and subsequent changes to the landscape shape the region’s character.

For cyclists, the third stage of the Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route is a clearly defined section: it runs 41 kilometres from Zehdenick to Fürstenberg/Havel. The stated endpoints and stage length provide clear guidance for planning the ride. Check current conditions before setting off.

Zehdenick within the wider Oberhavel destination

Oberhavel is part of the Ruppiner Seenland tourism region. The 66 Lakes Hiking Trail and European Long-Distance Path E10 run through the district. These trails provide a regional context; by contrast, the Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route is directly linked to Zehdenick through its stage from the town to Fürstenberg/Havel.

Uckermark Lakes Nature Park also provides a regional connection: around 260 square kilometres of the nature park lie in Oberhavel, and Zehdenick is among the areas that fall partly within it. For trip planning, this is a different kind of context from the themes directly associated with Zehdenick: the monastery museum, Old Town and cycling stage. This distinction helps you separate visits to the town from broader landscape and hiking experiences.

For the wider travel overview: Oberhavel.