Travel Guide to Cottbus, Germany

Cottbus is a city in the eastern part of Germany located on the Spree River and three railway lines 100 kilometers away from Berlin. The population of the city reached 110 thousands in 2010. This place is considered a large cultural and political center of Sorben population in Niederlausitz.

Sport is very popular in Cottbus – here you will find Energy Cottbus football club that once played in Bundesliga. Today it plays in the second team of Bundesliga. Talking about education – in 1991 in Cottbus was founded the youngest technical university in Germany – Brandenburg Technical University.

Branitz Castle located on the south of the city is one of the most popular sights among tourists. Near the castle is located a wonderful park. The castle was built as a residence for Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau – one of several key persons in XIX century. He was a writer, a traveller, a landlord and a landscape designer of the Prussian count. The castle is built in the baroque style. The project was created by an architect from Dresden Gottfried Semper, who had also created a project for Dresden Opera. Today the castle is turned into a museum that features the items telling about the life of the prince.

The majestic garden, which surrounds the castle, has been developed by Hermann von Pückler-Muskau in person. He was working over the creation of this piece of art during 40 years. In this park you can see not only trees, but also various buildings like a summerhouse, stables, and a row of pyramids that look like Egyptian ones. One of pyramids is located on the island in the center of lake. It is made in the form of a mausoleum. The relics of the prince and his wife Luisa are stored there.