Discover Malschwitz: Pond Landscapes, Nature and History

Malschwitz is a destination for anyone looking to include nature, fish farming and history in their plans. A considerable part of the municipality lies within the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve. The Lake Olbasee recreational area is a popular destination for day trips in Upper Lusatia. This offers a range of ways to explore the area: its landscape and how it is used, seasonal wildlife watching, and historical landmarks.

Natural Landscapes, Ponds and Lake Olbasee

The EU bathing site at Lake Olbasee is rated “excellent” based on a long-term assessment. The measurements on which this rating is based date back to June 2, 2026. If swimming is part of your plans, check the bathing water status again before your visit. The House of a Thousand Ponds provides information about the biosphere reserve and the region’s traditional fish farming.

Guttau has long been associated with carp farming. The ponds between Guttau and Wartha were probably created from the 15th century onward to support this activity. The pond landscape and its history of use are therefore two closely related topics. When planning your trip, you can explore nature not only as a landscape but also in the context of traditional fish farming.

Wildlife Watching and Trails

The “Guttau Ponds & Lake Olbasee” nature trail passes through fields and swamp woodland and includes numerous interactive stations. The Guttau Ponds nature trail covers themes such as the senses, fishing, legends and wonders. These topics add a range of points of interest along the route.

The seasons also shape wildlife watching along the Guttau Ponds Trail: in spring, you can hear choruses of frogs; in autumn, you may see or hear hundreds of wild geese. This makes a practical difference when planning your visit: frog calls take center stage in spring, while autumn offers opportunities to observe geese. Another natural landmark is the Giant Oak by the Great Brick Pond. It is 700 to 800 years old and has a trunk circumference of nine meters.

The Upper Lusatian Ring Trail is a regional hiking route that passes through Malschwitz. The Bautzen North Tour also runs through the Bautzen district: this 43.1-kilometer cycling tour starts in Bautzen and returns there via Quatitz, Großdubrau, Milkel, Klix and Malschwitz. It crosses the heath and pond landscape and follows the nature trail in Crosta. The two routes are easy to distinguish: the Ring Trail is a hiking route through Malschwitz, while the North Tour is a designated cycling loop in the Bautzen district.

Church and Industrial History

The Protestant church in the center of Malschwitz dates back to 1716 in its present form. Malschwitz is first mentioned in 1225; two manor estates were merged in 1756. These dates mark different stages in the town’s history, from its first recorded mention to later changes.

The Baruth basalt works are a historic industrial monument and a former basalt quarry. Basalt was extracted and processed there from 1931 onward. Alongside the history of the church, basalt extraction and processing form a distinct strand of the area’s history.

Discover more destinations: Großharthau, Crostwitz, Elstra, Wittichenau, Bischofswerda, Neschwitz, Lohsa, Königswartha.

For the regional travel overview: Bautzen District.