Roßlau – Elbe, History and Hotels

Roßlau offers several starting points for planning a stay: the Elbe landscapes, architectural and local history, shipping, and recurring events. If you are looking for a hotel in Roßlau, you can first decide which focus you would like your visit to have. Historic sites, collections and events offer different perspectives on the town.

The Elbe, Landscapes and Getting Around

Roßlau lies on the right bank of the Elbe. Elbe floodplains stretch south of the town, while extensive woodland lies to the east. The landscape and the town’s history offer two distinct perspectives for planning a trip. Transport connections are also useful for getting around: the B184 and B187 federal highways and the L120 state road run through Roßlau. There is also a bus route and a rail connection between Dessau and Roßlau. For your specific travel plans, it is advisable to check the current timetables.

Church, Moated Castle and History

The Protestant St. Mary’s Town Church was first mentioned in 1316. Its baptismal bell is about 1,000 years old and is considered the oldest bell in Anhalt. Roßlau Moated Castle takes you back even further: its oldest parts date from the 12th century. The castle was built on the remains of a Slavic settlement fortification; its buildings and grounds are protected as historic monuments. Roßlau therefore brings together different layers of history—from the early fortification and medieval castle to the town church first mentioned in historical records.

Events and Excursions

The moated castle is a destination for excursions and a venue for music festivals, theatrical performances, and Christmas and Easter markets. Annual event highlights in Roßlau include the SKA Festival, the castle summer theatre and the local and boatmen’s festival. Dates and programmes may vary, so check the specific details before your trip. The moated castle is also considered a starting point for excursions into the Oberluch floodplain landscape. Events and scenery thus complement the historical perspective with other possible focuses for your stay.

The History of Mills and Shipping

The oil mill offers a different glimpse into the town’s history. The listed historic building was formerly a textile mill, fulling mill and oil mill; its origins date back to 1533. Today, it houses the local history room. The museum displays Roßlau porcelain, objects from everyday middle-class life, old newspapers and views of the town. This collection brings together the history of crafts and everyday life with memorabilia from the area.

Covering more than 300 square metres, the Shipbuilding and Shipping Museum explores the history of shipping on the Elbe and local shipbuilding. Exhibits include ship models, drawings, photographs and illustrative materials. A Dietze paddle wheel is on display at Luchplatz. Alongside the historic buildings, shipping and shipbuilding provide another way to explore Roßlau’s history.

Plan Your Stay

If a particular event is important to you, take the announced dates into account when planning. This can help you decide what to focus on during your visit; you can then choose a hotel based on the details of each offer.

Discover more destinations: Mildensee, Dessau-Roßlau, Kochstedt

Go to the main travel overview: Dessau-Roßlau.