Bernburg Panorama, Schloss, Saale
Ⓒ Mika Garau
Blog
Ⓒ www.reisedepeschen.de
Schloss Museum Bernburg
Ⓒ Europaradweg R1_D3; Thomas Koy
Bernburg Panorama Schloss Saale
Ⓒ WelterbeRegion Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg e.V., Mika Garau
WelterbeCard
One region. One guest card.

Bernburg (Saale)

and the crown of Anhalt

The former residence town of the Princes of Anhalt-Bernburg lies in the heart of Saxony-Anhalt, in the Lower Saale Valley Nature Park, about 45 km from the Bauhaus city Dessau-Roßlau.

Bernburg Castle, the “crown of Anhalt,” sits picturesquely on the banks of the Saale. A wonderful old town full of imposing buildings and historical stories, a vibrant city scene and a variety of cultural and leisure activities await visitors.

City information Bernburg

Lindenplatz 9
06406 Bernburg (Saale)

Contact
Tel. 03471 3469311

On the internet
stadtinfo@bernburger-freizeit.de
www.bernburger-freizeit.de

Ⓒ Uwe Weigel

It has been over 1,050 years since Bernburg was first mentioned in a deed of gift from Otto I in 961. Favorable geographical and climatic conditions informed the early settlement of the region. The town, divided into a mountain and a valley part by the Saale, has since seen lots of history unfolding. The principality and later duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg was mentioned as early as 1245, when it partially covered the present-day areas of Aschersleben, Staßfurt and Quedlinburg. Anhalt-Bernburg existed until the death of Duke Alexander Carl in 1863 and was then united with Anhalt-Dessau to form the Duchy of Anhalt.

Bernburg Castle with its Eulenspiegelturm and the princely crypt with the magnificent tombs of the dynasty of Anhalt-Bernburg bear witness to the castle’s past as a residence of dukes and princes. The lovingly restored historic old town with its many sights, among them the Carl-Maria-von-Weber-Theater, the town hall with its famous flower clock and its geographic-astronomical art clock, always makes for a pleasant walk.
Today Bernburg is a lively, pulsating university town with important industrial enterprises on the periphery and lots to offer in terms of culture and leisure. A small park railroad runs through the local recreation area, “Krumbholz,” containing the zoo, the Keßler Tower and the fairy tale garden “Paradies”. Visitors can also take a cruise on a fully air-conditioned passenger ship. The Harz foothills and the Saale floodplain characterize the area around Bernburg. The “Romanesque Road” (Straße der Romantik), the “Blue Ribbon” (Blaues Band) and the “Luther Trail” (Lutherweg) lead through these landscapes.
Discover the cultural and recreational offerings and the sometimes hidden beauties of the former residence city of Anhalt. Discover Bernburg. 

With the » WelterbeCard visitors receive the following service from the city information Bernburg:

Free city tour

Every Saturday at 10:30; this one-hour guided tour explores the historic mining town, answering questions such as what Bernburg has to do with the “bear,” how the city has developed and which princes ruled here.

Opening hours:
City information Bernburg:
Monday - Friday
09:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 14:00

Getting there by bike
R1 European Cycle Route
Saale Cycle Route
Luther Trail
Orange Route

Getting there by public transport
via Köthen, Aschersleben, Schönebeck, Magdeburg to Bernburg (Saale)

Getting there by car
A 14 Leipzig-Magdeburg - exit Bernburg,
B6n - B185 - B71- Center

Sights

in Bernburg (Saale)
Image
Blick auf das Schloss Bernburg an der Saale
Ⓒ Michael Wittrisch

Bernburg Castle

The former residential castle of the princes and later dukes of Anhalt-Bernburg rises on a high sandstone rock on the eastern bank of the Saale. A “civitas brandanburg” was first mentioned in a deed of gift from Otto I dated July 29, 961.

» read more
Image
Blick auf Rathaus und Theater
Ⓒ Ingo Gottlieb

Bernburg Town Hall

A special “eye-catcher” is the town hall, built in 1895 in the style of historicism (neo-Renaissance). A structural peculiarity is the much older portal of the tower. The flower clock on its front dates to 1938.

» read more

Highlights & Recommendations

Image
Hof am Schloss bernburg
Ⓒ Ingo Gottlieb

Eulenspiegelturm

with panoramic views

Ascending the Romanesque keep is a special experience. In the turret of this so-called “Eulenspiegelturm” or “owl-mirror tower,” the famous jester Till Eulenspiegel kept a lookout for enemies of the Count of Anhalt and tricked himself into a meal at the princely table.

Today, a life-size, movable figure of Till recounts his experiences here. In fair weather, visitors to the “world’s largest Eulenspiegel monument” have a view over the Saale Valley all the way to the Harz Mountains.

Note: The Bernburg Castle Museum is closed until further notice because of extensive construction work. It is scheduled to reopen in 2022 boasting a brand-new, barrier-free permanent exhibition. However, changing exhibitions continue to be presented in the Eulenspiegelturm. The museum’s educational department also offers activities year-round.

Prices
Eulenspiegelturm 2,00 Euro p.p., other prices on request.

Tip
Visitors enjoy free admission to the Eulenspiegelturm with the World HeritageCard. >> More

Further information
Museum Schloss Bernburg
Schlossstraße 24
06406 Bernburg (Saale)
Tel. 03471 625007
museumschlossbernburg@t-online.de
www.museumschlossbernburg.de

Image
Saaledurchbruch - Naturpark Unteres Saaletal
Ⓒ Naturpark "Unteres Saaletal"

Tours

in the Lower Saale Valley Nature Park

Explore the varied landscapes of the Lower Saale Valley Nature Park on a guided hike, a bus tour or an escorted bike tour!

By bus or on foot, this tour leads into the charming landscape of the Lower Saale Valley Nature Park. It delves into the areas to the left and right of the Saale between Halle and Bernburg. Here, the river has formed varied landscapes with many geological peculiarities, producing a varied flora and fauna. Besides the natural sights there are also historical sites such as the town and castle of Wettin and Plötzkau Castle. Route and destination depend on your wishes.
Within the framework of guided hikes, the nature park offers the opportunity to get to know the richness of the landscape. These guided tours can also explore the nature trails in the nature park area, explaining geology, fauna and flora and the cultural landscape of the Saale Valley. The nature park center has a small exhibition offering additional information.

Further information
Verband Naturpark "Unteres Saaletal" e.V.
Bahnhofstraße 1a
06406 Bernburg
Tel. 03471 640435
info@unteres-saaletal.de
www.unteres-saaletal.de

Image
Parkeisenbahn Krumholz
Ⓒ Uwe Weigel

Day’s Hikes: offers

for schools and day care centers

Plan a very special outing with the little ones. Bernburg offers a diverse range of day hikes chock-full of fun and action.

During a day hike in Bernburg, you can hear the story of a very special day in the “Krumbholz,” learn more about the largest monument to the famous jester Till Eulenspiegel, or discover the relationship between “the bear” and Bernburg. Alternatively, you can explore the river on the “MS Saalefee”.

Choose a tour:

  • Happy Day
  • Till Eulenspiegel
  • Nature park discovery tour - on the road in Bernburg (Saale)
  • Saalefee Day
  • Salt and Bernburg
  • A musical journey
  • Geocaching modern + zigzag - 100 years of Bauhaus and modernity
  • Geocaching through Bernburg (Saale) - places of the Reformation

Prices
Upon request

Further information

Stadtinformation Bernburg
Lindenplatz 9
06406 Bernburg (Saale)
Tel. 03471 3469311
stadtinfo@bernburger-freizeit.de
www.bernburger-freizeit.de