On the trail of Strittmatter

The writer immortalized places in his home region in novels and stories (38 kilometres).

In his strongly autobiographical novel trilogy “Der Laden” (The Shop), the main character, Esau Matt, frequently makes use of his bike. The hero of the novel cycles back and forth between Grodk, the name given to Spremberg in the book, and Bossdom (Bohsdorf). The round trip not only follows this route, but also leads to other places in Strittmatter’s works. With a little imagination they are easy to recognise: Graustein is Grauschteen, Schönheide is Scheenheede, and Bloischdorf is Bleischdorf.

Bohsdorf in particular is worth spending time in, as Strittmatter’s parental home has been turned into a museum. The main attraction is the former shop and bakery, where among other things he wrote his first work, “Ochsenkutscher” (Ox Driver), in 1950. This is also a good place to discuss the more controversial parts of the writer’s life with members of the Strittmatter Society.

At the Confiserie Felicitas in Hornow however, called “Gulitzscha” in Strittmatter’s books, everything is sweetness and light – or at least sweet. The most beautiful resting place is the observation tower at Lake Felixsee.

Length: 44 kilometres
Start/finish: Spremberg station (junction 33) (coordinates 51.5751267N, 14.3965264E)
via: Graustein, Reuthen, Felixsee, Bohsdorf, Hornow, Klein Loitz, Bloischdorf, Türkendorf

Cycling-by-numbers
The “On the trail of Strittmatter” full-day tour can also be cycled using the new signposting system. The following junctions are passed with start/finish at Spremberg station (junction 33):
33, 57, 63, 17, 16, 18, 19, 28, 29, 85, 84, 86, 87, 89, 62, 32, 43, 57, 33

Sights along the route

• Spremberg: historic town centre, Protestant Church of the Cross and Kirchplatz, castle with the Niederlausitzer Heidemuseum
• Graustein: old school
• Reuthen: estate park
• Bohsdorf: “The Shop” (Dorfstrasse 36)
• Hornow: Confiserie Felicitas and church
• Bloischdorf: Lower Lusatian Sorbian Village Museum
• Türkendorf: dahlia garden of Gärtnerei Koschker
• observation tower at Lake Felixsee (in summer 2020 possibly closed due to renovation work)

Accessible sights

• Niederlausitzer Heidemuseum in Spremberg
• Hornow: Confectionery Felicitas
• Bloischdorf: Lower Lusatian Sorbian Village Museum
• Hotel Stadt Spremberg
• Restaurant in the Hotel Georgenberg in Spremberg
• Hotel and Restaurant “zur Wildtränke” in Spremberg

Maps/Literature:

• Faltblatt „Mit Rad wie Bäckersch Esau“, Fremdenverkehrsverein „Region Spremberg“
• Radkarte Niederlausitz, 1:75.000, bikeline, Verlag Esterbauer, ISBN 978-3-85000-308-7, Euro 4.90
• Spremberg und Umgebung, 1:50.000, Sachsen-Kartographie GmbH Dresden, ISBN 978-3-932281-42-6, Euro 4
• Bad Muskau, Spremberg und Umgebung, 1:35.000, Verlag Dr. Barthel - Schöne Heimat, ISBN 978-3-89591-132-3, Euro 4.90