Just 100 km southeast of the Capital Berlin, Lusatia has a landscape which is unique in Central Europe.Here the river Spree divides into a labyrinth of around 300 smaller rivers and streams. Of these “water streets”, 190 are navigable.
The Kahn – a sort of long, low, wide canoe – has been the most important method of transport in the Spreewald for more than 1000 years. The post is delivered by Kahn, shopping is carried home on the rivers, even cows go to pasture by Kahn! This singular landscape was almost unknown only 150 years ago, until the first “leisure trips” sent Berliners to the region in search of rest and recuperation, and the author Theodore Fontane spent time there in 1859.
Today trips by Kahn are a major tourist attraction. You can experience the romantic river landscape alone or with a partner by paddleboat. In this way you can see up close the forest, field, flora and fauna of the Spreewald, and marvel at the lovingly maintained log cabins with their thatched straw or reed roofs, which testify to the presence since the 6th Century of the Slavonic people.
The Sorbs and Wends shape the nature of the landscape today through their language, and their wonderful dress, traditions and customs. The artistically embroidered headdresses of the women or the intricately decorated sorbish Easter eggs leave a lasting impression. Visitors are invited to the traditional festivals and workshops of traditional craftsmen and women, who embroider sorbish costumes or make wooden clogs.
further information:
www.spreewald.de
www.spreewald-info.com
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