Drebkau’s cultural highlights include Sorbian-Wendish Easter egg painting and the St. John’s horse race in Casel, alongside historic buildings and outdoor experiences at Lake Gräbendorf. To plan your trip, start by choosing what matters most to you: customs and history, water activities, scenic views, or walking and cycling routes. You can check specific dates and conditions in advance.
Culture and history in Drebkau
The historic market square is associated with the Museum Sorbische Webstube, Drebkau Castle, and the historic town hall. The museum preserves Sorbian-Wendish traditions of Easter egg painting and houses one of the largest Easter egg collections. Here, the collection meets living cultural heritage: egg painting is not merely an exhibit, but a tradition that has been preserved.
In Casel, the Wendish St. John’s horse race is observed as an annual custom around June 24 and has become an attraction for visitors. Since the exact date can vary, it is advisable to check it before your trip. If you want to plan your visit around this custom, include the event date in your plans rather than relying solely on the usual time of year.
The church in Schorbus also offers a specific historical connection: it contains a winged altarpiece dating from around 1500, which was augmented in 1582. Alongside the buildings associated with the market square, this altarpiece offers another way to explore the area’s history. The details about the buildings and traditions highlight different aspects: the history of an individual work of art on the one hand, and a recurring annual cultural practice on the other.
Lake Gräbendorf and the surrounding landscape
Casel lies on Lake Gräbendorf, a former lignite opencast mine that was flooded after mining ended. The lake is part of the Lusatian Lake District and offers opportunities for swimming, sailing, and skating. Check water access and the applicable rules before your visit. This will help you plan water activities in line with local conditions, without assuming that every access point is equally suitable for every activity.
A nine-kilometre paved circular path also runs along Lake Gräbendorf and is used by cyclists and skaters. In both length and use, it differs from the shorter hiking route near Steinitz. Since surface and access conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them before setting out. For views across the landscape, the Steinitz Staircase offers a lookout point with views of Drebkau, the Welzow open-cast mine, and the hills of Upper Lusatia.
The landscape around Schorbus has its own distinctive character: the village lies among meadows and fields near eight hills on the northern edge of the Niederlausitzer Grenzwall. Its surroundings offer a different landscape experience from the views at the Steinitz Staircase, without requiring a particular hiking route.
Hiking, cycling, and getting here
A 6.7-kilometre circular hike starts and ends at the Steinitz car park and passes Lake Görigk, the Steinitz Staircase, the Devil’s Stone, and Steinitzhof. For cyclists, a 44-kilometre tour from Spremberg is a different proposition; its points of interest include the Steinitz Staircase and the Sorbian Webstube in Drebkau. The distance and mode of travel help you compare the two options: a circular hike with a fixed starting and ending point, or a longer cycling tour. Check route details in advance, as conditions may change.
Drebkau is connected by Federal Highway 169 and has a rail connection. You can therefore factor either road or rail travel into your plans; check specific transport connections and timetables in advance. This lets you choose accommodation based on your planned activities and how you’ll get there, without assuming a particular route or travel time.
Discover more destinations: Werben, Turnow-Preilack, Felixsee, Heinersbrück, Teichland, Welzow, Groß Schacksdorf-Simmersdorf, Neuhausen/Spree.
View the main travel overview: Spree-Neiße.
