Cottbus historic town centre and Branitz Castle Park - Prince Pückler’s heritage

Cottbus, with its 103,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the Lower Lusatia region. The town, which was the centre of the coal and energy industry in the former GDR, dates back to the 12th century. In recent years, the Cottbus Bundesgartenschau 1995 (Federal Horticultural Exhibition) and also the “Fürst-Pückler-Land” (Prince Pückler country) International Building Exhibition were the showpieces for life in the town. Prince Hermann of Pückler-Muskau created his later work with the Branitz Castle Park at Cottbus. To a large extent preserved and reconstructed in details, the complex is a garden creation of European standing today, thanks to consistent maintenance to a high level. But apart from this also, Cottbus is changing more and more into a green and culturally interesting spot in Brandenburg that invites you to expeditions. Certainly, the football club “Energie Cottbus” is also responsible for the town being known beyond Brandenburg’s borders. The state theatre with its beautiful Art Nouveau façade, the remains of the fortification (the Spremberg, Münz and Mauer towers), the churches (the Castle Church, the Monastery Church and St. Nikolai Church), the old market with its town houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries as well as the town’s museums (the Wendische Museum, the Brandenburg Art Collection, the Airport Museum and the Chemist’s Museum) are particular sights of the capital of Lusatia. Visitors can find relaxation from the urban hustle and bustle at the 55-hectare Spreeauenpark (park in the meadows of the river Spree), the former BUGA Park (Federal Horticultural Exhibition) and at the Cottbus Zoo, which is the largest zoo in Brandenburg with more than 1,000 animals. Whether it is the town festival in June, the farmers’ market in late summer or the Eastern European Film Festival in November: Cottbus entices its visitors from near and far.