The Spree Forest's cultural heritage is heavily influenced by the Sorbs and Wends with their Slavic customs. These Slavic people were the first to settle in the region. Their language and culture is still very much alive and can be experienced close up at a number of festivals. Sorbian is still spoken in most places in the Spree Forest.
What makes the Spree Forest so appealing is its simplicity and natural beauty. The culinary delights on offer here are made almost exclusively using local produce. You simply must try the famous Spree Forest gherkins, either fresh or in a jar to take home with you.
For a touch of urban flair, visit Cottbus, the second-largest town in Brandenburg. Its old town is known for its richly decorated patrician town houses. The State Theatre is the perfect embodiment of late art nouveau architecture and offers a dazzling array of sophisticated productions and concerts.
Keen gardeners are sure to be inspired by a visit to the nearby riverbank meadows along the Spree. This is also where you'll find Branitz Palace with its Fürst Pückler Park, a gem of 19th century German garden landscaping, whose pyramids are unique in Europe. Hermann Prince of Pückler-Muskau began this extensive project in 1846, confident that he would succeed in creating an aesthetic natural masterpiece. And he certainly achieved his aim. When he died in 1871, he was buried in the Branitz lake pyramid in accordance with his last wishes.
