Via Imperii - Way of St. James Berlin - Leipzig

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 section of the route from Berlin to Leipzig leads through Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony. Besides larger cities like Berlin with its many sights, Teltow, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, and Leipzig, the route is predominantly rural. Fields and woodlands alternate with small villages. It passes through the Fläming plateau, formed during the Ice Age, and the Dübener Heide Nature Park with its abundant forests. Shortly before reaching Leipzig's city center, we leave the green landscape and arrive at St. Nicholas Church.

Length: 212 km (9-10 days) / Section in Brandenburg approx. 102 km (4-5 days)

Start: Berlin-Mitte / Goal: Leipzig

Route marking: Stylized yellow 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.

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

Course: 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, Kropstädt, Köpnick, Mochau, Thießen, Wittenberg, Kienberge, Klitzschena, Bergwitz, Reuden, Kemberg, Lubast, Tornau, Hammermühle, Bad Düben, Glaucha, Noitzsch, Krippehna, Wölkau, Krensitz, Niederossig, Lehelitz, Krositz, Mutschlena, Gottscheina, Merkwitz, Plaußig, Thekla, Schönefeld, Leipzig

Route information of the 10 individual stages: Berlin - Teltow (23,7 km), Teltow - Saarmund (21,8 km), Saarmund - Beelitz (16,5 km), Beelitz - Treuenbrietzen (22,2 km), Treuenbrietzen - Marzahna (17,5 km), Marzahna - Wittenberg (25,0 km), Wittenberg - Kemberg (15,9 km), Kemberg - Bad Düben (26,6 km), Bad Düben - Krostitz (21,5 km), Krostitz - Leipzig (21,4 km)

Sights:

• 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: 

• Via Imperii Way of St. James from Szczecin/Stettin to Berlin
• Via Imperii Way of St. James from Leipzig to Hof
• 20 Green Main Routes (No. 5 - North-South Route)
• Berlin to Leipzig cycle path
• Fontanenweg F5
• Luther Trail

Road condition/route development: 
The Berlin-Leipzig section of the route has been almost fully signposted since spring 2015. In Berlin, the route follows the Green Main Trail No. 5. The landscape is flat with no significant changes in elevation. Only in the Fläming region and the Düben Heath is it slightly hilly.

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

Maps/ Literature: "Way of St. James on the Via Imperii section Berlin-Leipzig", 1:35000, Dr. Barthel Verlag (July 1, 2016)
ISBN: 978-3-89591-236-8, 14,90 Euro