Via Imperii - On the Way of St. James through Brandenburg

The Via Imperii was one of the most famous long-distance trade routes in the Middle Ages. This Roman trade route ran from Szczecin/Stettin via Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, and Florence to Rome, connecting important trading and pilgrimage sites. In Leipzig, the Via Imperii intersects with the Via Regia, which continues on to Santiago de Compostela and the Holy Sepulchre of the Apostle James.

The Way of St. James, designated a European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe in 1987, is also a spiritual path. Pilgrimage invites one's thoughts to confront life's existential questions. This is often easier to achieve while walking than in everyday life. A total of 647 km of trails along the Way of St. James through Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt to Leipzig in Saxony offer a unique experience.

Length: 417 km (20-21 days) / Section in Brandenburg approx. 307 km (10-12 days)

Start: Szczecin, Poland / Goal: Leipzig

Route markingStylized yellow scallop shell on a blue background. The closed side of the shell points in the direction of travel. Traditionally, the Way of St. James is only marked in the direction of Santiago de Compostela. Between Bernau and within Berlin, it is the Green Main Trail No. 5.

Public transport: From Berlin Gesundbrunnen take the RE66 to Szczecin Glowny (approx. 2 hours).

Check out: From Leipzig Central Station. Intercity-Express towards Berlin Gesundbrunnen to Berlin Central Station.

Course: Szczecin, Ustowo, Kurów, Siadlo Dolne, Moczyly, Pargowo, Staffelde, Geesow, Gartz, Hohenreinkendorf, Heinrichshof, Hohenfelde, Vierraden, Schwedt, Meyenburg, Zützen, Criewen, Stützkow, Stolpe, Crussow, Angermünde, Schmargendorf, Groß Ziethen, Buchholz, Serwest, Brodowin, Kloster Chorin, Sandkrug, Neuehütte, Eberswalde, Spechthausen, Schönholz, Melchow, Biesenthal, Lobetal, Ladeburg, Bernau bei Berlin, Berlin-Mitte, Berlin-Schöneberg, Berlin-Marienfelde, Teltow, Stahnsdorf, Güterfelde, Philippsthal, Saarmund, Wildenbruch, Kähnsdorf, Kietz, Schlunkendorf, Beelitz, Elsholz, Salzbrunn, Buchholz, Niebel, Treuenbrietzen, Rietz, Dietersdorf, Schwabeck, Feldheim, Schmögelsdorf Marzahna, Wergzahna / Saxony-Anhalt: Kropstädt, Köpnick, Mochau, Thießen, Wittenberg, Kienberge, Klitzschena, Bergwitz, Reuden, Kemberg, Lubast, Tornau / Saxony: Hammermühle, Bad Düben, Glaucha, Noitzsch, Krippehna, Wölkau, Krensitz, Niederossig, Lehelitz, Krositz, Mutschlena, Gottscheina, Merkwitz, Plaußig, Thekla, Schönefeld, Leipzig

Sights:

• Szczecin: St. James' Cathedral/Jacobi Church, a 12th-century brick Gothic church with a viewing platform (including an elevator)
• Lower Oder Valley National Park
• Gartz (Oder): St. Stephen's Church, Stettin Gate, Agricultural Museum
• Vierraden: Church of the Cross, Tobacco Museum
• Schwedt (Oder): St. Mary's Assumption Church, St. Catherine's Church, Huguenot Park and Jewish ritual bath
• Stützkow: Viewpoint “View into the Oder Valley” from Richterberg
• Stolpe: Cultural Chapel, Stolpe Tower
• Angermünde: Franciscan monastery, St. Mary's Church, Holy Spirit Chapel, town hall and old town
• Wolletzsee, village church in Altkünkendorf and Grumsin beech forest (alternative route from Angermünde)
• Schmargendorf and Groß Ziethen: Village church
• Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve
• Brodowin eco-village: farm shop and café, village church 
• Kloster-Chorin: the 13th-century Cistercian monastery is one of the most important brick Gothic buildings in Brandenburg.
• Eberswalde: St. Mary Magdalene Church, St. George's Chapel and St. Peter and Paul Church, Old Lock, Finow Canal, Forest Botanical Garden, Zoo
• Barnim Nature Park
• Nonnenfließ and Schwärzetal
• Biesenthal: St. Mary's Church, Biesenthal Basin
• Bernau: St. Mary's Church and old town with city wall
• Berlin: Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Park am Gleisdreieck, Monastery complex "Of the Good Shepherd", Berlin Wall Trail
• Teltow: listed old town, St. Andrew's Church from the 12th century 
• Bäkefließ, Alte Hakeburg, Bäkemühle
• Stahnsdorf: Southwest Cemetery, one of the largest forest cemeteries in Europe with graves of famous personalities and a Norwegian cemetery chapel
• Lake Seddin
• Kähnsdorf: Local history museum and 25.000 sq m boulder garden
• Beelitz, the asparagus town: Asparagus educational and hiking trail, windmill, parish church of St. Mary - St. Nicholas
• Treuenbrietzen: St. Mary's Church with a baroque organ by organ builder Joachim Wagner, baroque town hall with the Sabinchen Fountain, local history museum
• Rietz: Village church from the 12th century, wooden altar and crucifixion painting
• Wergzahna: one of the oldest village churches in the Fläming region
• Kropstädt: Water Castle
• Lutherstadt Wittenberg: St. Mary's Church "Mother Church of the Reformation", Luther Oak, Luther Monument, Cranach Houses, Castle Church with Martin Luther's "Theses Door", Wittenberg Castle, Luther Garden
• Bergwitzsee
• Kremberg: late Gothic town church "Our Lady", in which Martin Luther preached during the Reformation, late Gothic town hall
• Tornau: Wood Sculpture Meadow
• Bad Düben: over 1000-year-old castle
• Krippehna: Protestant parish church with multi-tiered altar structure, carvings and octagonal sandstone baptismal font
• Leipzig: St. Nicholas Church, the first Romanesque church dedicated to St. Nicholas

Possible combinations:

• Way of St. James Frankfurt (Oder) - Bernau near Berlin (Northern route 111 km)
• Way of St. James Frankfurt (Oder) - Teltow (Southern route 115 km)

The two routes are not shown on the map.

Road condition/route development: The Way of St. James along the Via Imperii has been progressively signposted since spring 2020 as part of its revitalization. The Berlin-Leipzig section is almost completely signposted. In Berlin, the route follows the Green Main Trail No. 5. 
The landscape is flat and without any significant differences in altitude.

Note: Some sections of the route are sparsely populated and have few restaurants or shops. Overnight stays must also be planned carefully.

Maps/ Literature: Currently still in planning.