A 4.35-metre-long diorama featuring around 800 tin figures depicts Napoleon’s retreat from the 1812 campaign in Russia. In Burg, such specific historical insights sit alongside half-timbered houses, the history of crafts and green spaces. For your stay, you can first decide whether to focus on the city’s history, cycling or observing nature.

Half-timbered houses and city history

The tanner’s house, dating from the 15th or 16th century, is one of the oldest surviving half-timbered buildings in Burg. Towers and Romanesque buildings are also part of the city’s heritage: Burg has six towers and two Romanesque buildings along the Romanesque Road. The Witch Tower survives from the fortifications of the 11th century. The Berlin Gate Tower dates from the second city wall, built around 1400; it is one of the last of around 30 defensive and watchtowers that once stood here.

The Tin Figure Cabinet displays historical scenes spanning 160 square metres, from antiquity to the modern era. Its large diorama depicting Napoleon’s retreat from the 1812 campaign in Russia portrays a single episode, with around 800 figures. A broad span of history is thus presented alongside a meticulously depicted event.

Crafts and industrial history

During tours of the Historic Tannery, machines, tools and finished products illustrate the tanning process. As tour arrangements may change, it is best to check them before your visit. The soap-making exhibition displays office and production equipment as well as soap products; it is considered unique in Germany.

The History of Burg’s Shoe Factory exhibition explores the development of shoe fashion and industrial shoe production. Machines demonstrate the production process, from developing the pattern to the finished shoe. Together, the exhibits offer insights into different areas of work: leather processing, soap-making and shoe production.

Parks and nature spots

The historic, listed Goethe Park covers around 8.7 hectares and forms a green corridor between the train station and the city centre. Burg’s Weinberg is considered the city’s highest elevation and oldest site. These places add different features to the cityscape: a park and a named viewpoint sit alongside the historic buildings.

About eight kilometres from Burg, Bürgerholz offers a nature trail and a fitness trail. The nature reserve covers around 580 hectares within a 920-hectare forest and is a breeding ground for cranes and black storks. Anglers and people travelling by water use Lake Niegripp, which is connected to the Elbe-Havel Canal. The lake area also includes a bathing beach with separate swimming and non-swimming areas, a dog beach, showers and toilets. As facilities and access arrangements may change, check them before your visit.

Cycle routes and planning your time

Burg is on the 75-kilometre section of the Elbe Cycle Route between Tangermünde and Magdeburg. The Telegraph Cycle Route, which is more than 800 kilometres long, also passes through Burg, following the route of the former Prussian optical telegraph line between Berlin and Koblenz. The Elbe Cycle Route reaches Burg via the Elbe-Havel Cycle Route; the nearest named access point is the Hohenwarthe information point in Möser.

Another way to explore the old town is the approximately 90-minute Old Town to Bismarck Tower guided tour. Depending on the weather, it may include a climb to the Bismarck Tower’s viewing platform. Check the tour’s availability and weather-dependent access in advance. When planning your stay, note that the tour duration and cycle route distances measure different things: around 90 minutes refers to the tour, 75 kilometres to the Elbe Cycle Route section, and more than 800 kilometres to the Telegraph Cycle Route.

Burg in the Jerichower Land

In the wider travel destination of Jerichower Land, you can explore the district from north to south along the Elbe Cycle Route. The Elbe-Havel Cycle Route runs alongside the canal through the nature-rich Jerichower Land and connects the Elbe Cycle Route with the Havel Cycle Route. This regional perspective complements Burg’s specific cycle route sections and historical sights without combining the routes into a single trip.

View the wider travel guide: Jerichower Land.