The Spreewald until 1975

Since the middle of the 19th century the Spreewald is a popular holiday destination . In 1895 Theodor Fontane visited the Spreewald. He was overwhelmed of the scenic attractions, customs and dresses of the population living here.

He wrote his experiences into the book named " Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg " into enthusiastic lines within the years 1862 and 1881. He compares the Spreewald with the magic of Venice. His influence on the holiday traffic failed to appear.

The connection to the railway network played an essential role in the development of the tourism. The railway track Berlin-Cottbus was taken away from 1866 into operation. So the cities of Lübben, Lübbenau and Vetschau got connected.

The Lübbenauer teacher and cronicler Paul Fahlisch is regarded as a real founder of the Spreewald tourism. He re-organized study visits at 1880 to the area around Lübbenau. With the financial help of the Hotel "Zum braunen Hirsch" (to the brown deer) in Lübbenau he established journeys of Berlin to his native country and  looked after them personally.

The artist Professor Woite spent some weeks in the year in the Spreewald since 1882 for around 20 years. He lived in the "Lehder" inn "Zum fröhlichen Hecht". On recommendation of the painter the restaurant owner sent leaflets to German artist organizations with the note the Spreewald is a treasure trove for every painter. This advertising arrived and up to the thirties art exhibitions took place in the inn "Zum fröhlichen Hecht".

The first Spreewald organization was founded in August 1886. Single local organizations in Lübbenau, Burg, Cottbus and Spremberg, were founded. But the organisation dissolved by invincible disagreements in August 1903.

After the war (1945) it was hard to get the tourism going again. So the strength transport services and the German National Railways contributed under others with special transports again at the weekends to get the tourism working .

200,000 guests were counted at 1935. It was about 500,000 in 1960. 1975 was the first time, that more than 1 million guests were counted.