Coswig (Anhalt)

Experience Coswig (Anhalt) and the Elbe

The historic town of Coswig (Anhalt), charmingly set on the Elbe about 15 km to the West of Wittenberg, is only a stone’s throw away from the Garden Kingdom Dessau-Wörlitz on the opposite shore of the river.

Thanks to its sights and the picturesque Elbe lowlands surrounding it, Coswig (Anhalt) has a lot to offer and promises a rewarding visit to lovers of nature and culture alike.

Coswig dates back to the 12th century, and its oldest buildings still characterize the silhouette of the town. Three towers, mirrored in the city’s logo, greet visitors from afar. These towers belong to the church of St Nicholas, the Coswig town hall and the local castle.

Adventuring into town, visitors discover the Mediterranean flair of the Unterfischerei neighborhood, the medieval tranquility surrounding the decorative Wahlsdorf well (Wahlsdorfer Ziehbrunnen), the historical grandeur of the Bismarck Tower (Bismarckturm) and the technical refinement of the Thießen hammer mill as well as several architectural monuments of high rank definitely worth a visit. Along the towpath, or when crossing the river on the reaction ferry, it is easy to imagine the lovely surprises the Elbe lowlands have in store.

To the north, hilly Fläming borders the town, while to the south the Elbe flows in an idyllic curve. For centuries Coswig was the regional center, residence and widow’s seat of the nobles of Anhalt, and the ducal office. Nestled between three UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Luther Sites in Wittenberg, Garden Kingdom Dessau-Wörlitz, Bauhaus Dessau) and located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe, Coswig is a good starting point for excursions and impresses with its own rich history.

Sights

in Coswig (Anhalt)

Schloss Coswig (Anhalt)

Bereits seit dem 13. Jahrhundert wird ein „fürstliches Haus“ in Coswig erwähnt. Somit ist Schloss Coswig (Anhalt) eines der ältesten und bedeutendsten Gebäude der Stadt.

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Saint Nicholas

With its 52 m tower, the church of St Nicholas dominates the Coswig townscape. Anyone driving through the town on the Elbe will notice this magnificent building whose history goes back a long way.

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Klosterhof with city museum

The Klosterhof, or the cloister’s courtyard, near the Amtshaus and St Nicholas, serves as a cultural venue for municipal events. Right next door is a renovated garden house hosting an interesting exhibition on Romanticism. There is a direct connection to the supra-regional Elbe cycle route from this place.

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Blick auf das Coswiger Rathaus auf dem Marktplatz

Historical town hall with market square

The town hall, first mentioned in 1490, originally comprised only today’s north wing and received its present form in 1911. Following the demolition of the brewery house on the gable side of the town hall, a market square was set up at this location.

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Fläming Nature Park Information Center

In the nature park information center you will be informed about the daily work on site and about ongoing projects.

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Paddle adventures Coswig

Discover the Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe from the water and experience our incomparable landscape in a different way!

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Thießen hammer mill

Between Fläming and Elbe lies in the Rossel valley, on the edge of the district Thießen an extraordinary technical monument, the hammer mill.

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Highlights & Recommendations

Simonetti House

This inconspicuous half-timbered building from 1699 was once a baroque residence and is now known as the “Simonetti House”. In 2007, the Simonetti Haus Coswig (Anhalt) e.V. association started managing the property then threatened by demolition, allowing the public to experience a fascinating tour aptly dubbed “Adventure stucco ceilings” (Abenteuer Stuckdecke).

Outwardly inconspicuous, the building contains seven stucco ceilings unique in Saxony-Anhalt. Thanks to their sophisticated iconographic picture program, this stuccowork is without comparison. Chamber councillor Baron Friedrich von Mehder, charged with “impregnating silver into gold” for Prince Carl Wilhelm von Anhalt-Zerbst, commissioned this building while master builder and stucco artist Giovanni Simonetti took care of the stucco.

Further information
Simonetti House
Zerbster Straße 40
06869 Coswig (Anhalt)
Tel. 034903 - 499223
simonettihauscoswig@t-online.de

Blick ins Innere der Kirche Sankt Nicolai

Cranach paintings in St Nicholas

In 1272, St Nicholas was given to the nuns of a newly founded Augustinian nunnery. After 250 years of use as a convent church, it once again became the town church of Coswig in 1527 thanks to the Reformation.

Three pieces from the creative period of Lucas Cranach the Younger survived the bellicose 17th century: the “Epitaph for Knight von Pogk” (1577, “Epitaph für Ritter von Pogk”), the “Last Supper” (“Letztes Abendmahl”) and “The Crucifixion of Christ” (1556, Kreuzigung Christi). This beautiful church also houses a few other treasures, so it is definitely worth a visit.

Further information
Ev. Pfarramt Coswig
Schlossstraße 58
Tel. 034903 62938
st_nicolai@web.de
www.kirche-coswig.de

Unter- und Oberfischerei

This residential area and its iconic street are in one of the oldest settled areas of the town. A supporting wall, built in 1822, separates the Unterfischerei from the Oberfischerei, protecting the upper part of the residential area from sliding into the floodplain. The indentations in this wall once served as stalls protecting local fish vendors from the elements.

In one of these indentations, one can see the Coswig town coat of arms. At the same time as the supporting wall, a staircase and a bridge were constructed. They are still the shortest way to the market. One can also easily reach the reaction ferry from here, which carries visitors across the Elbe to the Garden Kingdom.

Further information
Tourist Information Coswig
Tel. 034903 610155
buergerbuero@coswig-online.de
www.coswiganhalt.de