Sorbs.Faith.Tradition - Serbja.wěra.nałožki

The special feature of this cycling route lies in the visibility of traditional values of the Sorbian faith culture. Crosses and prayer columns along paths and in front gardens accompany the visitor to the core settlement area of the Sorbs throughout the entire route.

1. The starting point of the route is the car park above the St. Marienstern Monastery.
   From there, the view first falls on the centuries-old Cistercian nunnery "St. Marienstern." It is a place of prayer, contemplation, relaxation, and hospitality. Visitors can visit the teaching garden of the monastery's own nutrition and herb garden. The monastery café awaits guests with typically Sorbian dishes from the monastery kitchen. If needed, 25 beds are available for overnight stays. A visit to the monastery shop is also worthwhile.
2. The route leads down into the village and at the hill turns right onto the Krabat cycling path (symbol = black raven). Cyclists follow it to the village exit. The route then continues straight ahead on a dirt road towards Dürrwicknitz.
3. In Dürrwicknitz, the route runs across the typical Sorbian village.
   On the main street, visitors can visit the Sorbian pottery Wetenca and explore and purchase regional products. The farm also offers overnight accommodation.
4. At the end of the village, the route continues to a lightly trafficked country road and turns right towards Wendischbaselitz. Here, various Sorbian prayer columns of different ages can be admired on almost every property.
5. The route now leads further along the main road to Nebelschütz.
   From afar, the church shines in the well-known Cistercian colors, bright red and white tones. It was built between 1741 and 1743 on a granite rock according to construction plans of the famous architect of the Dresden Court Church, the Italian Gaetano Chiaveri. The current Baroque church, dedicated to Saint Martin, has undergone some renovations over its 250 years of existence. The 16 m high and 5.5 m wide Baroque high altar made of wood, with the altar painting "Assumption of Mary" and above it the image of St. Martin (patron of the church), is a special beauty in our country. The pulpit with the four evangelists has also been restored and regilded. Thanks to a "misplanning" by a military force, it was spared destruction at the end of World War II. The St. Martin Church warmly welcomes its visitors for worship or just for viewing.
   Centrally in the village, not far from the municipal office (with KRABAT office and Lausitzer HofLaden), you will find the "Wendentor" - a symbol for a gate into the Sorbian-speaking part of Upper Lusatia.
   The sense for original art and culture characterizes the mentality of the Nebelschütz inhabitants. In the nearby flooded quarry in the district of Miltitz (KRABAT Stone), an international sculpture workshop takes place annually, where one can watch the artists at work. Small sculptures are hidden underwater. Diving tourists can truly "dive down" here like the Sorbian waterman for a visit. But people can also enjoy the art without getting wet: On the well-equipped area of the quarry, sculpture works as well as LandArt artworks by internationally renowned artists can be admired all year round.
6. Follow the marking of the Saxon town route in Nebelschütz to Deutschbaselitz.
   The Großteich Deutschbaselitz is Saxony's largest pond and invites you to linger with a forest bath, a campsite, and a snack bar.
7. In Deutschbaselitz, leave the Saxon town routes and follow the signs to Piskowitz.
8. About 500 m outside Piskowitz, the route leaves the country road in a right curve and turns left onto a linden-lined dirt road (marked with a red dot). On the right, a hidden pond with a small jetty surprises - a nice spot for a picnic. The path continues on the forest trail to Rosenthal.
9. In Rosenthal, the route leads straight to the pilgrimage church and the Marian spring. A visit to the church is worthwhile in any case.
   Rosenthal is the center of Marian devotion of the Catholic Sorbs. Especially precious is the small image of grace of the Mother of God created around 1480. The path initially passes the Marian spring, whose water is said to have healing powers. In Rosenthal, a visit to the pilgrimage church and the village center is worthwhile. The legend of the apparition of the Mother of God still shapes the history of Rosenthal today.
   Public toilets are located directly next door. Visiting a traditional costume shop on the village's main street is also possible on Tuesdays to Fridays from 12 to 5 p.m., making Sorbian culture visible once again on this route (Tel. 035796 95967).
10. In front of the pilgrimage church, continue north a bit on the country road towards Schmerlitz. However, after about 300 meters, the path turns towards Laske.
11. Shortly before entering Laske, cyclists can decide whether to take the shorter route directly to Ralbitz or the longer route via Cunnewitz. For the shorter route, the tour follows the road through Laske and after about 2.5 km reaches the cycle path along the country road between Cunnewitz and Ralbitz. The cycle path on the right leads straight to Ralbitz.
12. The longer route leads on the Frog cycle path (symbol = frog on a bicycle) left at a horse paddock just before entering Laske onto a dirt road into a forest. The path goes through Schönau to Cunnewitz to the Regina bee farm.
    The Regina bee farm was extensively modernized and expanded in 1998 to give interested visitors insight into the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping, which has been practiced for over eighty years.
    Since students' interest was also awakened at the same time, the Regina bee farm trains students in full-day programs to become future beekeepers in cooperation with schools. Several young beekeepers have already emerged from these efforts.
    Visits to the educational trail with guided tours and tastings are possible by appointment. Even in bad weather, thanks to modern technology, an informative stay can be offered. The bee queen Regina, the beekeeper of the house, traditionally welcomes you in Sorbian everyday costume.
13. After a visit, the cyclist follows the cycle path along the country road south towards Ralbitz.
14. In Ralbitz, a visit to the Catholic cemetery offers deep insights into Sorbian faith culture.
    The special feature of the village is the listed cemetery of the Catholic parish community. It symbolizes with its uniform crosses the equality of all people before God.
    In the village, Maria Scholze's guesthouse invites visitors for cool drinks and snacks.
15. The route leads behind the cemetery on the path marked with a red dot across fields and meadows. After the chapel, one crosses a small ditch and then continues to the left along the green path marking to Zerna.
16. In Zerna, one again follows a small stretch of the Krabat cycling path. Shortly after leaving the village, turn left at the field junction and then ride through Teichhäuser and Neudörfel to Räckelwitz.
    In Räckelwitz, a visit to the costume tailor Kupke is worthwhile. There, visitors gain insight into the world of Sorbian fabrics and costume art. Behind a small counter, fabrics, scarves, costume dolls or small souvenirs can be purchased. The village also has a bike rental and a bike workshop (Fahrrad-GARAGE Sende).
17. The route follows the Krabat cycling path through the village. Symbolized by a black raven, the path leads over meadows and field paths past Caseritz to Crostwitz.
    The village was first mentioned in documents in 1225. One of the first Christian parishes was established here, and the Crostwitz parish church still holds great importance for the region today. Every year Crostwitz is a starting point of the Easter riding tradition maintained in the region. For many years, it has also been one of the three venues of the International Folklore Festival, where mainly representatives of ethnic groups and minorities are invited and help shape the colorful program.
18. Cyclists pass the Polish memorial on a hill in Crostwitz and ride directly into the village. On the main street, the route turns right back towards Panschwitz-Kuckau.
19. The last three kilometers are probably the most demanding of the entire route. With some ascents, cyclists first reach the village Alte Ziegelscheune, a street village with about 50 inhabitants, and after a final steep climb, the starting point of the route, the car park in Panschwitz-Kuckau.

• Binoculars for wildlife observation

• Bring drinks, as there are long stretches without shopping facilities

• Mosquito spray

• Repair kit

By train to Bautzen and then by bus to Panschwitz-Kuckau.

Please use the digital and current timetable information of ZVON: www.zvon.de

Please inquire about opening times and prices directly with the providers:

St. Marienstern Monastery (Ćišinskistraße 35, 01920 Panschwitz-Kuckau, Tel. 035796 99431)

Pottery and Inn Dürrwicknitz (Dorfplatz 6, 01920 Nebelschütz OT Dürrwicknitz, Tel. 035796 96152 or 0174 2411364)

Regina Bee Farm (Dorfstraße 17, 01920 Ralbitz OT Cunnewitz, Tel. 035792 50327 or 0172 370 3482)

Costume Tailor Petra Kupke (Wiesenweg 7, 01920 Räckelwitz, Tel. 035796 95604)

Lausitzer HofLaden (Hauptstraße 9, 01920 Nebelschütz, Tel. 03578 3669407, Mobile 0177 7184093)

Camping Site Deutschbaselitz (Großteichstraße 30, 01917 Kamenz OT Deutschbaselitz, Tel. 03578 301489)

International Folklore Festival Lusatia

Digital Sorbian Dictionary

Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape

Upper Lusatia

Bautzen (Tourist Information Bautzen, Hauptmarkt 1, 02625 Bautzen, Tel. 03591 42016)

Sorbian Cultural Tourism e. V.

KRABAT Region

Sorbian dictionary

Literature on the Sorbs

Brochure "On Discovery Tour in the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape" (Sorbian: Na slědźerskej turje přez kónčinu Hornjołužiska hola a haty)

• Sorbian for "Good day" - Dobry dźeń [dscheen]

It is not recommended to cycle the route in adverse weather conditions (branch breakage, slippery conditions, risk of slipping).

Due to patchy network coverage, we recommend downloading the route in advance to use the app offline if needed.