Frau im Kostüm von Katharina der Großen sitz an einer langen Tafel im Schloss Zerbst
Ⓒ Heiko Rebsch
Elberadeltag 2024
nach Zerbst/Anhalt

Zerbst/Anhalt

Home of Catherine the Great

Between the Elbe and the Fläming, about 20 km from the Bauhaus city Dessau-Roßlau, Zerbst looks back on 1000 years of eventful history. In the first reformed town of Anhalt, Princess Sophie Auguste Friederike von Anhalt-Zerbst, the later “Catherine the Great,” grew up protected by imposing castle walls. Johann Friedrich Fasch, the court conductor of the time, also helped the town achieve musical fame and glory.

Tourismusinformation Zerbst

Markt 11
39261 Zerbst/Anhalt

Contact
Tel. 03923 760178

Online
touristinformation@stadt-zerbst.de
www.stadt-zerbst.de

Ⓒ Heiko Rebsch

Zerbst was once Anhalt’s largest and most important town. The mighty medieval city wall with its gates and towers, the former monastery complexes, the churches and historic buildings still bear witness to this today. A stone Roland, an early symbol of jurisdiction, has stood guard on the market square since 1445. Faithfully, the legendary golden “butter maiden” (Butterjungfer) has stood by his side for centuries.

The Zerbst princess and later tsarina Catherine II steered the history of Russia for over three decades and went down in history as one of the most powerful rulers in Europe. A five-meter tall monument, the “Katharina II” collection, unique in Germany, and a tourist route dedicated to her honor Zerbst’s most famous daughter.

Johann Friedrich Fasch worked as a Kapellmeister (or “choir master”) at the Zerbst court in the 18th century and composed a serenata on the occasion of the marriage of the Zerbst princess to the later Tsar Peter III of Russia. His countless compositions helped baroque music to blossom. Every two years, the International Fasch Festival commemorates this world-famous composer from Zerbst. In the 16th century, Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon stayed here several times. Thus, the Luther Trail also leads to Zerbst and its original sites of the Reformation.

Holders of the » WelterbeCard are entitled to the following service from the Tourist Information Zerbst/Anhalt:

Free public guided tour of the city

To find out what the golden butter maiden and the venerable stone Roland at Zerbst market are all about, or to learn what happened here during the eventful time of the Reformation, a public guided tour is just the thing.
Guided tours: every 2nd Saturday, 14:00, Easter to October

Opening hours
Tourist-Information Zerbst/Anhalt:

April – September
Mo – Fr        09.00 – 12.30 / 13.00 – 17.00 o'clock
Saturday  10.00 – 13.00 o'clock

October – March
Mo – Thu       09.00 – 12.30 / 13.00 – 17.00 o'clock
Friday          09.00 – 12.30 / 13.00 - 16.00 o'clock

Getting there by bike
Elbe Cycle Route, Fläming Cycle Route

Getting there by public transport
Magdeburg-Dessau, Zerbst/Anhalt train station - city line bus

Getting there by car
A9 exit Dessau Ost or Dessau Süd
A2 exit Burg Ost, via Möckern, Loburg to Zerbst/Anhalt
B184

Sights

in Zerbst/Anhalt
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Frau im Kostüm von Katharina der Großen steht vor einem Spiegel im Schloss Zerbst
Ⓒ Heiko Rebsch

Zerbst Castle

Of the former 3-winged residence of the noble house of Anhalt-Zerbst, only the eastern wing still exists. It houses exhibitions and host events in the summer. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the castle's history.

» read more
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Blick in die Sammlang Katharina II.
Ⓒ Stadt Zerbst/Anhalt

Collection Catherine II

The collection, lovingly assembled, found a home in the beautiful former Kavaliershaus, close to the once magnificent residence of the nobles of Anhalt-Zerbst. Stucco ceilings, busts and tile decorations made in Zerbst form the stylish framework of the exhibition.

» read more
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Museum der Stadt Zerbst von Innen
Ⓒ A. Freudenreich

Zerbst Museum

The museum’s collections on prehistory and early history, on the history of the town and especially on the Reformation in Zerbst and in the whole of Anhalt inform the focus of the exhibition in the former Francisceum monastery complex. 

» read more

Highlights & Recommendations

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eine Gruppe von Menschen bei einer Führung
Ⓒ Stadt Zerbst, Schlegel

Route “Catherine the Great”

Guided tour

The tourist route “Catherine the Great” with its 10 stops in the middle of Zerbst, the German hometown of the former Russian tsarina, has unique value. It connects Catherine’s history with the histories of her hometown and of her family.

The route leads to authentic sites connected to the former Zerbst princess and her family. It connects the history of the city with that of the noble House of Anhalt-Zerbst, from which the famous Russian Tsarina Catherine II (1729-1796) hailed. From Zerbst she embarked on a bridal trip to Russia in 1744 and later became regent over the great Russian Empire. She was a dazzling personality and a powerful and successful ruler who went down in world history. This guided tour sheds light on her life, her work and her personality while visiting sights unique in Germany, such as a larger-than-life monument made of solid bronze, the former baroque riding arena or the court and collegiate church of St. Bartholomew.

Prices
Group up to 25 persons without special services € 37, special services on request

Further information
Tourist information Zerbst/Anhalt

touristinformation@stadt-zerbst.de

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Kirche Polenzko
Ⓒ Anika Kinnemann

Themed churches in Luso, Polenzko and Trüben

Visit and guided tour of the 3 themed churches

With the Christmas Church in Polenzko, the Hymnal Church in Luso and the Osterkirche in Trüben, the church district Zerbst offers unique experiences in the Vorfläming. Beautiful old houses of worship invite you to spiritual encounters and historical discoveries.

Visitors of the Vorfläming region in Zerbst/Anhalt can embark on a very special journey of discovery. Here, three themed churches are close together, offering space for inner contemplation, discovery and encounters with history. Polenzko’s Christmas Church houses the largest carved nativity scene in Germany, presenting the biblical Christmas story. In Luso’s Hymnal Church, visitors can browse old and new hymnals and Bibles from all over the world and, of course, sing. After its completion in 2017, the Osterkirche Trüben presents the Passion of Christ in many stations inside and outside the church. Anyone who would like to visit the themed churches can do so at any time. Expert guided tours are available by appointment.

Further information
Guided tours are available for a fee, please call the following numbers:
Mrs. Hahn Tel. 039248 7300 u. 0179 2029321
Mr. Janssen Tel. 0340 25261401

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Burg Lindau
Ⓒ Stadt Zerbst/Anhalt

Lindau Castle

Tour of the castle and the castle complex

The origin of Lindau Castle dates back to the 9th/10th century. Once built as a fortified castle for protection and defense, it is still visible from afar today. 

Climbing the castle tower rewards visitors with a unique view of the nearby Fläming and the Nutheauen meadows. During a guided tour of the over 260 m (in diameter) of the castle complex, you can dive deep into the eventful history of the town and the castle under changing rulers.

Prices
€ 2 p.p. for guided tours
Minimum price for small groups: € 5

Further Information
Gudrun Rosenauer
Chairwoman of the local history and tourist office Lindau e.V.
Tel. 039246 303
gernot.rosenauer@web.de

Insights into the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district