68 BACK ROADS GERMANY
ElbeLangen-
weddingenDolleRogätzAngernBurgstallLüderitzGoldbeckVinzelbergKlädenKleinpasch-
lebenAtzendorfGerwischSchorstedtErxlebenIden
WalslebenJarchauGross
SchwechtenSchernikauDahlenBellingenStaatsBadingenBuchholzWeissewarteSchernebeckMahlwinkel CobbelKehnertNiegrippLoitsche
FarslebenVehlitzPlötzkyPömmeltePechauGnadauGross MühlingenBrumbyBiereWelslebenZuchauWedlitzColbitzFörderstedtAltenweddingenEichenbarlebenBornLetzlingenLindstedtWedringen
SamswegenGross
Ammersleben
EbendorfHohen-
dodelebenRoxfördeBarlebenPatzetzHundisburgHeyrothsbergeJävenitzMöserBismarkGommernBarbyNienburgCalbeWanzlebenWolmirstedtTangerhütteStassfurtSchönebeckBernburgStendalBurgOsterburgHaldenslebenMAGDEBURGHistory and Revolutions Along the Elbe
This tour loosely follows the Elbe, a major river that runs through Saxony-Anhalt
(Sachsen-Anhalt), a state dotted with historic sights. In the 7th century, the river
formed a natural frontier between Germans in the west and Slavic tribes in the
east. In the 10th century, however, the German Saxons made a concerted effort
to secure the border and colonize and Christianize the east, to which end,
they built a series of great churches and abbeys in Magdeburg, Havelberg
and Jerichow. With the border secured, river trade helped settlements flourish –
in parti cular the town of Tangermünde, whose half-timbered core has been
wonder fully preserved. Further south along the Elbe, the small town of
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is renowned as the birthplace of Protestantism.
History is not the only attraction on this route: large portions of the
Elbe are part of a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve that offers
good hiking, as do the wonderful country gardens of Wörlitz.ACTIVITIES
Enter the zany world of architect Friedensreich
Hundertwasser at the Grüne Zitadelle building
in MagdeburgTake a boat trip on the Elbe riverExplore the palatial Wörlitz gardens on
foot or by gondolaClimb the stairs of Lutherstadt Wittenberg’s
castle tower for glorious views of the townAbove Scenic road to Havelberg, see p70KEY
Drive route