Pegau – Discover History, Art and Cycling Routes

Pegau combines medieval history and art in the urban landscape with the floodplain landscape of the White Elster and a newly created lake district. If you are considering Pegau as a destination, you can choose between churches and museums, an independent tour of the old town, and cycling routes as different areas of focus.

Church, Monastery History and Museum

Pegau’s history is linked to the medieval Benedictine monastery founded by Wiprecht II and to the town hall, built in 1560. St. Lawrence’s Church was rebuilt as a Gothic hall church by 1463. Since 1556, it has housed the late Romanesque cenotaph of the monastery’s founder, Wiprecht II. The church, cenotaph and town hall represent different chapters in the town’s history.

The Pegau Town Museum is one of the oldest museums in Saxony. Its permanent exhibitions, “From the Lives of Pegau’s People in Days Gone By” and “Mammoths – Monks – Makers,” explore different topics from Pegau’s past. A visit involves climbing 136 steps and offers views across Pegau towards Leipzig’s Monument to the Battle of the Nations. The museum visit thus combines the exhibitions with a view over the town and towards Leipzig.

Sculptures and Independent Exploration of the Town

Pegau’s audio walk uses QR codes at 19 sculptures to offer an interactive audio experience about public art. The sculptors’ plein-air event has also produced numerous works: since 2007, 27 artists have created more than 50 pieces. The audio walk and the sculptors’ plein-air event offer two different ways to experience public art – one through listening, the other through the sculptures created.

The tour of the old town is a separate experience: you can explore Pegau independently using 19 information panels. The panels provide an introduction to the town’s history, while the QR codes at the sculptures offer an interactive audio experience through the audio walk.

Floodplain Landscape and Cycling Routes

Pegau is located in the floodplain landscape of the White Elster and in a newly created lake district in the southwest of the Leipzig region. The Leipzig Neuseenland, within the wider destination of Leipzig District, encompasses 22 new lakes with a total water surface area of 70 km². Thus, the regional setting brings together floodplains and lakes, while the cycling routes connect Pegau to a variety of itineraries.

The Neuseenland Route lets cyclists explore Leipzig Land from Pegau over a distance of 100 kilometres. The Elster Cycle Route also passes through Pegau and runs from Bohemia to Halle/Saale. The two routes can be distinguished by their stated extents: the Neuseenland Route focuses on the route through Leipzig Land from Pegau, while the Elster Cycle Route runs between Bohemia and Halle/Saale.

Getting Around and Arriving

The Napoleon House is home to the town library and Tourist Information. Visitor services may change; if you need specific information, check the latest details in advance. For rail travel, Pegau is served by regional lines RB13 and RE12. As transport services may change, it is advisable to check the timetable before travelling.

If you are arriving by car, follow the B2 to Leipziger Vorstadt in Pegau. Road conditions and routes may also change, so check them before setting off. For an activity locally, Pegau’s municipal swimming pool offers a place to cool off and swim. Check current availability before visiting.

To decide whether Pegau is right for your stay, you can weigh up the different options: town history and the museum, sculptures and the audio walk, or cycling routes through the region. Then look for a hotel in Pegau that suits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Threna, Markkleeberg, Zwenkau, Brandis, Böhlen, Grimma, Colditz, Borna.

Go to the wider travel overview: Leipzig District.