The best hikes from bus stations in Crassensee

St. John's Church in Griebo is a historic place of worship with deep regional significance. Built in the late medieval style, it is characterized by its simple yet impressive architecture. Located in the small village of Griebo near Coswig (Anhalt), the church is an important spiritual and cultural center of the community. Its interior features ornate furnishings, including a Baroque altar and several historical works of art that reflect the building's long history. Today, St. John's Church is used for both regular services and special events and is an important testament to the region's religious tradition. More information is available at: https://www.kirche-coswig.de/st-johannes-griebo

The "Elbe Regulation" prison camp in Griebo near Coswig (Anhalt) was a Nazi forced labor camp established in 1936. It was originally used to carry out low-water regulation work on the Elbe River to improve inland navigation. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, this purpose diminished, and the prisoners were increasingly deployed to armaments factories such as the Bavarian Nitrogen Works in Piesteritz and the Junkers Aircraft and Engine Works in Dessau. The camp consisted of five wooden barracks, each housing approximately 80 prisoners, a roll call area, and a double fence with guard dogs. In addition, a former excursion boat named the "Baldur" was converted into the prison ship "Biber," which could accommodate 150 prisoners and plied along the construction sites along the Elbe. The prisoners were selected from various prisons based on their physical condition or manual skills and sent to the camp. Among them were men and women from all over Europe, including political prisoners, resistance fighters, homosexuals, and people convicted of even the most minor wartime economic offenses. On May 8, 2015, a memorial was unveiled near the former camp site to commemorate the penal camp and its victims. It was erected with the support of the Apollensdorf Cultural and Heritage Association and Wittenberg businesses and is located directly on the Elbe Cycle Path to serve as a reminder and information to both residents and tourists. For further information and historical background, visit the website "From Forgetting to Remembering."

The Apollensdorf Fieldstone Church is a well-preserved example of Romanesque architecture in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It is located in the Apollensdorf district, directly on the Elbe Cycle Path, and is one of the oldest buildings in the region. It was probably built between 1200 and 1230. At that time, it was the only stone building in the village, while all other structures were made of wood. The church is constructed of fieldstone and consists of a three-part structure with a nave, a recessed choir, and a semicircular apse. The west gable is topped by a simple wooden turret with sound windows. Typical of the Romanesque style are the semicircular apse window and the round-arched portal on the south side, which is particularly emphasized by its stepped frame. Over the centuries, the church has been altered several times. The windows were enlarged in the Baroque style in the 17th century, bringing more light into the interior. The interior is simple but contains some remarkable pieces. Of particular note is the Baroque pulpit altar with a central oil painting depicting Jesus carrying the cross. The baptismal font dates from 1667, and the accompanying brass baptismal bowl bears the date 1669. The pulpit is decorated with floral ornaments. The church is open daily from April to October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular services are held during this time, including special events such as baptism services on the Elbe River. From November to March, visits are only possible by prior appointment. Group tours can be arranged through the parish office. Today, the church is a popular place to rest and reflect for cyclists and hikers traveling along the Elbe Cycle Path. It is also used as a venue for small concerts or devotional services. Its simple beauty, tranquil setting, and centuries-old history make it a worthwhile destination for those interested in cultural history. More information at: https://www.ekmd.de/kirche/kirchenkreise/wittenberg/dobien/apollensdorf-piesteritz/kirche-apollensdorf/

Beautiful cherry avenue

St. Johannes in Griebo was built around 1200, but was destroyed in the Thirty Years' War from 1618-48. Reconstruction began in 1653. Over time, the church was rebuilt several times - but its character was retained. More information: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johannes_(Griebo)#Architektur_und_Geschichte

The hall church is of late Romanesque origin. On the west side of the nave stands the church tower on a rectangular floor plan, the width of which corresponds to the width of the nave. The choir is drawn into the nave. On the east side there is a round apse. The masonry consists of regular field stones. The church was built around 1200, but was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. Reconstruction began in 1653, although the tower was not built until 1692. On the south side of the nave is the priest's gate and a round-arch portal that was walled up in 1729. The church is covered with mansard roofs. These roofs, as well as the segmental arch windows, date from Baroque-style renovations in 1654 and 1729. Since the time of the Reformation, Griebo was a branch church of the second clergyman from Coswig (Anhalt). Structural changes were also made in 1893 and 1894. The interior of the church is covered by a mirror vault, which rests on a profiled cornice. There are galleries on the north and west sides of the nave. The pulpit was originally part of a neo-Gothic pulpit altar wall installed in 1840. The altar wall was removed in 1985. A stone slab that had been lying in the churchyard for a long time now serves as the altar. The neo-Gothic organ facade also dates from 1840. In the church there is a bronze bell cast by Johann Gottfried Weinhold in 1747. It had to be handed over to the armaments industry during the Second World War to be melted down, but was returned intact after the end of the war in 1948. The second bell in the church was made in 1923. The baptismal font, made in the shape of a chalice and decorated with leaf ornaments, is older and dates back to 1676 and was donated by the village mayor Peter Schulze. The wall that still surrounds large parts of the churchyard is remarkable. It is of medieval origin, made of field stones and has a gable roof. Source https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johannes_(Griebo)

The church was open, simple, good for brief reflection and a deep breath.

The Apollensberg is located in the small community of Apollensdorf and, with its quiet location, lush vegetation and unique views, is a real local recreation area for all Wittenberg residents and guests of Lutherstadt. The hill goes back to the formation processes of the Ice Age and is therefore a very old witness to the eventful history of Lutherstadt Wittenberg and the surrounding towns. Due to various deposition processes during this time, the Apollensberg still has a high lime content today. Special and rare plant species that do not occur in the rest of the landscape around Lutherstadt Wittenberg were able to settle here.