Paul-Gerhardt Days Mittenwalde

A Festival Week for a Great Hymn Writer

Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676) is one of the most important poets of Protestant church hymns — his texts such as 'Befiehl du deine Wege', 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden', or 'Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud' are still an integral part of Protestant and ecumenical hymnals today. His work in Mittenwalde (Dahme-Spreewald district) shaped the town: from autumn 1651, he was provost of St. Moritz Church, he wrote a large part of his songs here, and he married Anna Maria Berthold here. The town has therefore officially been known as Paul-Gerhardt-Stadt Mittenwalde for years.

Twelve Days of Programming — from May 27 to June 7, 2026

For the 350th anniversary of his death, the town is putting together an exceptionally extensive festival program in 2026, combining sacred music, theological reflection, historical exploration, and tourist experiences. The opening event on May 27 commemorates Gerhardt's death with brass music and songs in St. Moritz Church.

Hiking the Paul-Gerhardt Trails

Several hikes and a bike tour will take you to the poet's historical traces in and around Mittenwalde:

• May 30, 10 a.m. — Hike on the Paul-Gerhardt-Weg (9.5 km, approx. 3 hours)
• June 6, 10 a.m. — Bike tour from Mittenwalde to Lübben (Gerhardt's last place of work)

Concerts and Readings

The musical centerpiece is the concert 'Wandelt eure Klag in Singen' on June 5 at 6 p.m. in St. Moritz Church with the Sächsischer Kammerchor and a chamber orchestra — tickets cost €26. In addition, there will be other sacred concerts and devotions during the festival week. On June 1 at 6:30 p.m., author Fabian Vogt will read from his novel 'Meines Herzens Lust' about Paul Gerhardt in Ragow.

Church Services and Sermons

On May 31 at 11 a.m., the parish will celebrate a family service in St. Moritz, and on June 7 at 10:30 a.m., the traditional 'Mittenwalder Predigt' (Mittenwalde Sermon) will take place to conclude the festival week.

Historical Tours

On June 3 at 4:30 p.m., the town invites you to a guided tour of the Paul-Gerhardt-Haus — the former hospital on the market square, which now houses parts of the town administration and which Paul Gerhardt knew well during his lifetime.

Significance for the Dahme-Spreewald Region

The Paul-Gerhardt Days 2026 are one of Brandenburg's most significant cultural events this year and are supported by the Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia, the Dahme-Spreewald district, and tourism partners.