The best road cycling routes around Colbitz

The development of water transport technology becomes clear during a visit to the historic Rothensee ship lift. In 1938, the ship lift was put into operation. Leipzig designers opted at the time for a principle that had not yet been practically applied anywhere for a structure of this magnitude: A lift whose trough rested on two movable floats. With the help of the water-filled trough, which together with the two floats and the support structures has a total weight of around 5,400 tons, ships could thus "descend" from the Mittellandkanal and towards the Elbe. Depending on the water level of the Elbe, a gradient between 11 and 18 meters is compensated. With a trough length of 85 meters, a width of 12 meters, and a water depth in the trough of 2.5 meters, the dimensions are, however, too small for today's large motor cargo ships. For this reason, the ship lift was decommissioned in 2006. Since then, the state capital Magdeburg, supported by various stakeholders and with broad public approval, has been committed to its seasonal continued operation. With success: Since the summer of 2013, the ship lift has been seasonally operated again for tourist purposes. The ship lift in Magdeburg-Rothensee is a unique monument due to its technology and history. It is a brilliant design, its construction was an engineering masterpiece. It is the second oldest of only four ship lifts still in operation in Germany and the only two-float ship lift in Germany still in operation. A visit is worthwhile for this reason alone, as the immediate proximity of the state-of-the-art Sparschleuse to the ship lift, as a historical technical monument, makes the developments in water transport technology visible. Data and facts: Usable length: 85 meters Usable width: 12 meters Lift height: 10.45 to 18.46 meters depending on the Elbe water level Water depth in the trough: 2.58 meters Usable size: 82 meters x 9.5 meters x 2 meters Total moving weight: 5,400 tons https://www.magdeburg-tourist.de/Tourismus-Freizeit/System/Schiffshebewerk/

The noteworthy "chapel-like" village church from 1571 can be found on Dorfstraße in 39517 Angern (district Bertingen, Saxony-Anhalt). It has a rectangular nave with large round-arched windows, a semi-circular chancel, and a square west tower made of half-timbering with a hood. The year 1571 is located directly above the entrance door. During an earlier relocation of the village, the community took the old oak church door with them as a memento and incorporated it into the new building. The free-standing, two-story west tower is made of half-timbering with corner braces. www.wikipedia.de

The cycle path is very narrow and sometimes a bit difficult to navigate on a road bike due to roots and slight ruts. Always ride slowly here. A gravel bike is actually much better here.

Climb the highest peak between Magdeburg and the Baltic Sea During this mountain hike, you'll cover a roughly 6 km long trail with gradients of up to 16%. It takes two to three hours and is led by expert mountain guides from the Zielitz Miners' Association. During the tour, the mountain guides will provide information about local mining – from the raw salt extracted underground to the finished product – and scenic attractions. After the approximately 3 km climb, you'll reach the summit plateau. From here, you'll enjoy impressive views of the surrounding villages, Europe's largest waterway junction, and the largest continuous linden forest. With a bit of luck, the weather will be clear, so the view even extends as far as the Brocken (Harz) Mountains. Source: https://www.kpluss.com/de-de/ueber-ks/standorte/europa/zielitz/kalimandscharo/#bergtour The mountain tours take place every Saturday at 3:00 PM from the beginning of May to October. No registration is required.

So many highlights at a glance

interesting opportunity to take a closer look at this dimension

The former manor church was built around 1500 as a simple fieldstone structure with a thatched roof. During the Thirty Years' War, the church had to be rebuilt twice. At its core, it is a medieval church.

At a good 40 meters above sea level and directly on the banks of the Elbe River, a high medieval residential tower, the Klutturm, stands, and right next to it a neo-Gothic castle. These are the remains of the former castle complex and later the Rogätz manor.