For the most part I hardly see a German town that gets me feeling all philosophical, or something of the kind — it’s usually light and humorous; a grand old time for the having.
Between you and me, my experience with the town of Uebigau-Wahrenbrück, it was a little of both.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, this town is lovely (to say the least), but back during the middle of the 20th century — it wasn’t. On the final days of World War II the town of Uebigau-Wahrenbrück was a stop on what’s known as the “Lost Train” (Verlorener Zug in German). Let me explain…
In April 1945 three trains left the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp — the last and final train rode through this region; and many of the 2000+ souls are buried along the way — with the final stop being Uebigau-Wahrenbrück’s neighbor of Tröbitz.
In the village of Langennaundorf (kilometer marker 101.6) is a memorial dedicated to them. Also there’s a Jewish Cemetery in Tröbitz with an even bigger memorial, and one in the village of Wildgrube (kilometer marker 106.7).
Yes, it seems like a lot of history slammed into one, small webpage — but if you’re here seeing them all, at least you know why.
Uebigau-Wahrenbrück’s history isn’t limited to just the 20th century. Heck no, the villages of the town have been around for centuries. One of the oldest places is Kloster Dobrilugk (in nearby Doberlug-Kirchhain), one of the oldest monasteries in Lower Lusatia — from 1165.
Plus, Brandenburg is known for its many village churches. I like the ones in Langennaundorf, Drasdo, and Wildgrube. Nope, sorry, I think my heart belongs to the medieval one in the village of Wiederau.
And we all know I love castles — so off to Neudeck Castle (a village with a population of 72 people). It was built in 1521, but you’d never know it from its Baroque renovations in 1711.
You will also love to visit the Brikettfabrik Luise in the Domsdorf district, a former briquet factory that was in production for 110 years (from 1882 to 1992) — which is the reason why it’s part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
So much has happened through the ages around here that it seems like just the right place for a Heritage Museum (called Heimatmuseum), two of which you’ll find in Uebigau proper and in Wahrenbrück proper.
You’ll most certainly find a good number of festivals going on, as well. Who doesn’t love a good Oktoberfest (in October, mind you), and a Village Festival in August.
Uebigau-Wahrenbrück is a place of quiet reflection, countless years of history, fantastic cultural events, and so much more — philosophical, or not.
