The Lietzen Commandery is the town’s main historical landmark: it was first mentioned in a document in 1232, and its protective walls have survived to this day. The hike also includes a short loop through the commandery before the landscape of the wider region comes into view. This lets you experience cultural history and nature as distinct themes of your trip.
Commandery and Church: History on Site
The medieval religious complex of the Lietzen Commandery was built by members of the Knights Templar in the mid-13th century. In 1318, the complex and the Romanesque church passed into the possession of the Knights Hospitaller. Lietzen Nord Church is Romanesque and part of the commandery. The surviving walls add a tangible architectural trace to the early documentary mention; the change of ownership, in turn, reveals the successive groups who held the complex. This creates a connected focus for the cultural part of your trip: the church and commandery belong in the same historical account, not as two unrelated stops.
Hiking between Lietzen and the Wider Surrounding Area
A short loop through the Lietzen Commandery precedes the hike. In the wider region, the hiking route first follows Lake KĂĽchensee and then continues through the forest along Lake GroĂźer See. The route runs between Lietzen Nord and Neuentempel. This places a short loop through the complex alongside a hiking section with lakes and forest, offering two different scales for your planning. Check current route conditions before setting out.
Culture and Nature in Märkisch-Oderland
The wider travel destination of Märkisch-Oderland offers further cultural attractions. The Brecht-Weigel House in Buckow has been a museum since 1977. The literature museum holds readings, concerts, talks, discussions, film screenings, exhibitions and special guided tours throughout the year. Its programme ranges from literary events to films and exhibitions; the specific offerings may vary.
Märkisch-Oderland also offers hikes of different lengths: you can explore Märkische Schweiz on the 17-kilometre Natura Trail or the certified nature park route, which is just under 21 kilometres long. The Natura Trail is the shorter of the two options, while the nature park route is longer. If you are choosing based on distance, this difference gives you a concrete point of reference. Check local route conditions before setting out.
All the ski jumps at the Sparkassen Ski Arena in Bad Freienwalde can be used in both summer and winter. Special mats and all-weather approach tracks make year-round ski jumping possible; access to the facility may vary. Check before visiting. Cycling routes are also available in Märkisch-Oderland along the Oder-Neiße Cycle Route. The Oderbruchbahn Cycle Route runs through the Oderbruch landscape and also reflects the history of rail transport in the early 20th century. Its main route runs from Fürstenwalde/Spree or, alternatively, from Müncheberg to Wriezen. This lets you include a cycling route with a historical focus in your regional travel plans, alongside culture and hiking.
Discover more destinations: Falkenhagen, Bleyen-Genschmar, Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, Märkische Höhe, Reichenberg, Neuenhagen, Bad Freienwalde, Müncheberg
View the wider travel overview: Märkisch-Oderland.
