Anyone traveling through southern Brandenburg on two wheels shouldn't simply pass by Lötze Castle. If only because it's not really a castle at all—or let's just say, it wasn't born as one. Originally, there was a brickworks here, diligently firing bricks for the surrounding estate. And as luck would have it: When the fire couldn't be controlled and the brickworks burned down in the 1920s, the then lord of the manor seized the opportunity and had a manor house built. Following the motto: If it's going to be hot, do it with style.
Later, this was a children's summer camp. A time of change. Change. Then the market took over: the castle was sold, renovated, and polished. Today, the complex is privately owned, but the old walls continue to tell stories. Of brick dust and estate farming, of summers filled with children's laughter—and now of bungalows for guests who want to treat themselves to a few days of stately flair.
For cyclists, Lötze is more than just a stopover: a place that shows that history doesn't always have to consist of castles and kings. Sometimes all it takes is a burnt-out kiln, a bit of entrepreneurial spirit—and a long-term perspective. The avenue leading there is quiet, the lake peeks through the trees. And those who stop feel: much has happened here—and much more will happen.