A former Franciscan monastery, the ruins of what was once Anhalt’s largest hall church, and a 153,900-square-metre palace garden each give Zerbst/Anhalt a distinct character. The city’s history can be encountered in its collections, buildings and along routes through the city. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the museum, a palace visit and exploring on foot or by bike.
Museum, Churches and City History
The Museum of the City of Zerbst/Anhalt is housed in a former Franciscan monastery. In the refectory and chapter house, ornate details recall the monastery’s past. The museum presents the city’s history in connection with the Reformation and education. Tours are offered in the permanent and special exhibitions; check which tours are available before your visit. Talks on historical topics are also part of the museum’s offerings. As the programme may change, it is advisable to check the latest dates.
The “Catherine II” collection is a branch of the museum and focuses on the life and work of the empress. The “Catherine the Great” tourist route offers a different focus: ten courtly stops explore the life of the Anhalt princess, her family and the history of the city of Zerbst. This places a museum perspective on the person alongside a broader connection to the family and the city’s history. Check the route’s current visiting options in advance.
A prison cell with historical inscriptions from the 17th century recalls the town’s university history. The ruins of St. Nicolai, once Anhalt’s largest hall church, stand in the market square. Despite severe war damage, St. Bartholomäi remained an Evangelical parish church and continues to be used as one. Inside are tomb slabs belonging to princely families, frescoes and a panel painting by Lucas Cranach the Younger depicting the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan.
Regular visits to the palace are possible only as part of guided tours or accompanied walks. If you are planning a palace visit, check the latest access information beforehand. This type of visit differs from the museum tours; each offers its own way to explore Zerbst’s history.
Palace Gardens, City Wall and Cycling Routes
The palace gardens cover 153,900 square metres and include a palace pond. Their grounds offer a different scale from a walk around individual historic buildings. A walk along the approximately four-kilometre-long medieval city wall offers another way to explore Zerbst’s history.
The Zerbst region between the Elbe and the Fläming offers around 40 kilometres of cycling routes through river meadows, fields, meadows and forests. The Fläming Cycle Route connects the EuroVelo 7 R1 route near Bad Belzig with the Elbe Cycle Route at Walternienburg or Dessau-Roßlau. Near Garitz, the Fläming Cycle Route branches off towards Zerbst via Walternienburg. If you are planning a cycling trip, check current route conditions before setting off.
An e-bike charging station at Schlossfreiheit has two charging points. It is close to the palace, the palace gardens, St. Bartholomäi and the city centre. Opposite the station are bicycle racks and the branch of the “Catherine II” collection. As infrastructure and access information may change, check the latest details before your ride.
Seasonal Flavours and the Regional Setting
Asparagus is grown on sandy soils in the Vorfläming and near the Elbe, and is seasonally associated with visits to Zerbst/Anhalt. Its availability depends on the season.
In the wider travel destination of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, the district lies along the Elbe and Mulde, between the Dübener Heide and the Fläming, and covers 1,450 square kilometres. This geographical overview describes the broader regional setting around Zerbst/Anhalt.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Reuden, Lindau, Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Walternienburg, Muldestausee, Sandersdorf-Brehna, Raguhn-JeĂźnitz, SĂĽdliches Anhalt.
Go to the regional travel overview: Anhalt-Bitterfeld.
