The protected Elster Rafting Canal tells the story of a hydraulic engineering project that began in the 16th century and was later extended to Leipzig. Wetterzeube also offers a cycling route through several towns, historic churches and nature activities. If you would like to plan your stay around your interests, there are several options: the Wine Route by bike, hiking opportunities with views of the Elster Valley, and regional wines and farm products.
Wine Route and the History of Winemaking
The Wine Route along the White Elster runs by bike through Haynsburg, Koßweda, Wetterzeube, Pötewitz and Trebnitz. One of its stops is the Bischofsleite vineyard in Wetterzeube. From Zeitz, you can combine it with the Elster Cycle Route to make a circular tour. From Zeitz, you can combine a ride on the Wine Route with the Elster Cycle Route to make a circular tour.
Winemaking in Wetterzeube dates back to 1209, when a vineyard between Pötewitz and Wetterzeube was transferred to the church in Zeitz. Regional products add a modern culinary touch: at the Schleckweda goat farm, goat’s cheese is made using traditional methods. Cafe Capra offers farm specialities and regional wine.
Water Engineering History and Churches
The Elster Rafting Canal is a protected hydraulic engineering structure dating from the 16th century. It was built between 1579 and 1587 and extended to Leipzig in 1610; its length reached almost 73 kilometres. In its later expanded form, the canal reached almost 73 kilometres.
The churches also offer different historical highlights. The church in Pötewitz, in the municipality of Wetterzeube, dates from 1114 and has a valuable triptych altarpiece. Schkauditz Church is considered the oldest church in the Elster Valley. Its Late Gothic altar wings depict Henry II and Cunigunde as saints. A triptych is a three-part work of art; in Schkauditz, the Late Gothic wings are particularly noteworthy for their named figures.
Forests and Hiking
The nearby Zeitzer Forst covers 1,800 hectares and is the largest contiguous forest in southern Saxony-Anhalt. Both the Zeitzer Forst and the Aga-Elster Valley are protected natural areas. Hiking options in the municipality of Wetterzeube include Sachsenberg near Rossendorf and an extensive network of trails with views of the Elster Valley.
There are four interactive nature experience stations in and around Breitenbach in the Zeitzer Forst. This offers a choice of different focuses: the hiking network provides views of the Elster Valley, while the stations centre on interactive nature experiences. There is also an information board at the quarry called “Permian/Triassic Boundary”.
If you are interested in guided visits, the Haynsburg Local History Association offers tours and visits throughout the year. The cycling route, hiking opportunities and historic sites each give Wetterzeube a different focus, so when planning your trip, you can choose according to the topics that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Breitenbach, Mertendorf, Wethau, Osterfeld, Lützen, Laucha An Der Unstrut, Kaiserpfalz, Gleina.
View the main travel overview: Burgenlandkreis.
