Flaming Attractions
Länder: Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt
The Fläming Hills (named after Flemish settlers who came here in the 12th C.) are the middle section of the ridge of hills which extends for over 100km/60mi, ranging in width between 30km/20mi and 50km/30mi, from the Altmark in the northwest to the Lusatian Hills in the southeast. It is bounded on the north by the Baruth urstromtal (ice-margin trench), on the west and south by the valleys of the Elbe and Schwarze Elster, on the east by the Dahme valley.
The western part of the Fläming range, the Hoher Fläming, reaches a height of 201m/659ft in the Hagelberg; the highest point in the eastern part, the Niederer Fläming, is the Golmberg (178 m/584ft). In the Fläming hilly country formed by terminal moraines alternates with rolling ground moraines and level expanses of outwash sand. Much of the area is covered with pine forests; only in the central part of the range is there mixed forest (beeches). There are numerous dry valleys, formed in different climatic conditions and now seldom carrying any water.
Hoher Fläming
Features of interest in the Hoher Fläming are the Hagelberg, with a monument commemorating a victory over Napoleon's forces in 1813, and the little towns of Belzig and Wiesenburg. In Belzig is Burg Eisenhardt, with a 33 m/108ft high keep (13th C.) from which there are extensive views. The Schlosspark in Wiesenburg is notable for its many different species of trees. Nearby is Burg Rabenstein, now a youth hostel.
Niederer Fläming
The main tourist attraction of the Niederer Fläming is the old Cistercian monastery (founded 1170) of Zinna, near Jüterbog. The frescoes brought to light here during restoration work are among the finest Gothic wall paintings in Germany.
The Fläming Hills (named after Flemish settlers who came here in the 12th C.) are the middle section of the ridge of hills which extends for over 100km/60mi, ranging in width between 30km/20mi and 50km/30mi, from the Altmark in the northwest to the Lusatian Hills in the southeast. It is bounded on the north by the Baruth urstromtal (ice-margin trench), on the west and south by the valleys of the Elbe and Schwarze Elster, on the east by the Dahme valley.
The western part of the Fläming range, the Hoher Fläming, reaches a height of 201m/659ft in the Hagelberg; the highest point in the eastern part, the Niederer Fläming, is the Golmberg (178 m/584ft). In the Fläming hilly country formed by terminal moraines alternates with rolling ground moraines and level expanses of outwash sand. Much of the area is covered with pine forests; only in the central part of the range is there mixed forest (beeches). There are numerous dry valleys, formed in different climatic conditions and now seldom carrying any water.
Hoher Fläming
Features of interest in the Hoher Fläming are the Hagelberg, with a monument commemorating a victory over Napoleon's forces in 1813, and the little towns of Belzig and Wiesenburg. In Belzig is Burg Eisenhardt, with a 33 m/108ft high keep (13th C.) from which there are extensive views. The Schlosspark in Wiesenburg is notable for its many different species of trees. Nearby is Burg Rabenstein, now a youth hostel.
Niederer Fläming
The main tourist attraction of the Niederer Fläming is the old Cistercian monastery (founded 1170) of Zinna, near Jüterbog. The frescoes brought to light here during restoration work are among the finest Gothic wall paintings in Germany.
