Plessa can be explored through two distinctive themes: the fruit-growing culture around Döllingen and the industrial history of the power station and Elstermühle. The Pomological Show and Educational Garden showcases a rich diversity that has developed over time, while the power station, mill and other landmarks offer a glimpse into the town’s industrial and technological history. Nature and culture sit side by side here, without necessarily appealing to the same travel interests.
Orchard and traditional orchards in Döllingen
The Pomological Show and Educational Garden in Döllingen covers three hectares. More than 400 old and newer fruit trees grow there. The main fruit varieties include apples, pears, cherries and plums; there are also nuts and wild fruit. A distinctive sequence of blossoms shapes the garden in spring. Later, the fruit ripens gradually and visitors can sample it. These different seasonal highlights make blossom and fruit ripening two separate occasions to visit the garden.
Seasonal theory and practical seminars on traditional orchards are held in the garden. The annual Blossom Festival and Lower Lusatian Apple Day also take place there. A circular walking trail runs through the traditional orchards in Döllingen as a nature trail. The garden provides schools and day-care centres with an outdoor learning environment. The focus here is therefore on both the fruit trees and their seasonal changes, as well as learning and events.
Power station, mill and industrial history
The Plessa power station is a prominent landmark in the town’s history: its two clinker-red chimneys rise 100 metres above Plessa. The power station is one of Europe’s oldest lignite-fired power stations and retains its original building fabric. Visitors can see authentic power station technology from the 1920s there. The guided “Path of Coal” tour leads from the outside bunker through the boiler house and turbine hall to the control room and transformer area. If you would like to plan this tour, check with the operator in advance to confirm whether it is currently available.
The ElstermĂĽhle in Plessa offers another way to explore technological history. The historic mill museum displays cutting tools and grain mills across three floors. Museum visits require advance registration. When the mills are operating as part of a demonstration, the impressive external waterwheel also begins to turn. The demonstration depends on the mills being run for visitors; it is not guaranteed on every visit.
The 35-metre-high Bertzit Tower stands in the “Waldeslust” miners’ settlement in Kahla and is a landmark visible from far away. It belonged to a Bertzit plant completed in 1918. Another historic building can be found in Döllingen: a Baroque church built there in 1739, now a listed monument. The two locations thus offer different highlights, spanning industrial history and architectural heritage.
Cycling and walking routes
The Plessa Adventure Power Station is located on the “Coal, Wind and Water Tour” and the “Fürst-Pückler Cycle Route”. Those interested in walking can follow the nature trail through the traditional orchards in Döllingen. Another multi-location walking route, “From Old Orchards to 1,000 Oaks”, passes through Plessa. Check the route’s current condition before setting out. These routes therefore include a circular trail through the traditional orchards, a multi-location route through Plessa and cycling routes near the Adventure Power Station.
Elbe-Elster as a wider travel destination
Elbe-Elster also provides its own regional setting for cultural and industrial history. The F60 visitor mine is in Elbe-Elster district, south of Lichterfeld. The Louise briquette factory in Domsdorf is Europe’s oldest preserved briquette factory. Four major museums in the district have been part of a joint museum network since January 2015. The Mühlberg 1547 Museum is dedicated to the meeting of the armies in 1547, which shaped the course of the Reformation, and holds the European Heritage Label.
Discover more destinations: MĂĽhlberg, Finsterwalde, Fichtwald, Elsterwerda, Bad Liebenwerda, Doberlug-Kirchhain, Herzberg, Hohenleipisch.
See the wider travel overview: Elbe-Elster.
