Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve
The home of the Elbe beaver
The Garden Realm of Dessau-Wörlitz is elegantly embedded in the vast floodplain landscape of the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve. In the 18th century, where the Elbe and Mulde rivers form the landscape quite naturally, Prince Franz implemented his programme for the beautification of the country. In doing so, he fused culture and nature in a way that is still unparalleled today in terms of sophistication and beauty.
The Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve comprises a river and floodplain landscape on over 126,000 hectares and 300 river kilometres in five federal states. With the largest hardwood alluvial forests in Central Europe, with fields and meadows, mighty solitary trees, quiet paths and orchards, rare animals and plants, the landscape is particularly worthy of protection. As early as 1988, the area was included in the UNESCO program.
The floodplain paths can be walked all year round. For reasons of road safety, there may be road closures. Please inform yourself in advance:
The Kapenniederung path can be explored in a playful way with the Actionbound app. Musical, active and tricky tasks make the route a fun and informative experience for young and old.
The Elbe plays a major role all year round as a habitat and feeding area for a wide variety of bird species.
In an artificial beaver castle, you can observe the elusive rodent.
May to October
Mon to Fri 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sat, Sun, holidays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
November to April
Mon to Fri 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Good Friday, Easter 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Auenhaus, Information Centre of the Biosphere Reserve Administration Middle Elbe
Am Kapenschlösschen 3
D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, Germany
OT Oranienbaum
Phone +49 (0) 3 49 04.4 06 31
auenhaus@mittelelbe.mule.sachsen-anhalt.de
www.mittelelbe.com
from/to Dessau-Roßlau or Lutherstadt Wittenberg with the WelterbeLinie Bus 304, during the season: with the Dessau-Wörlitz Eisenbahn from Dessau Main Station
The Auenhaus has been awarded the certificate “Accessibility tested” partly barrier-free for people with walking disabilities and partly barrier-free for people with visual impairments and is allowed to use the license plate from April 2023 to March 2026.
The Auenhaus can be explored in a playful way with the Actionbound app.