Peitzer Karpfenwochen with Great Fish Catch
Six weeks of carp season around the Peitz ponds
About Peitzer Karpfenwochen
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Peitz — the Carp Capital of Lausitz
Peitz is a small town in the Spree-Neiße district in southern Niederlausitz, about 20 km north of Cottbus. The town owes its character to two industries that have been closely intertwined since the 16th century: the ironworks (founded in 1554) and carp farming in the extensive Peitz ponds. Today, around 1,400 hectares of ponds shape the landscape — they are among the oldest and largest artificial pond landscapes in Central Europe and are protected as FFH and bird sanctuaries.
The Peitzer Karpfenwochen — an Annual Culinary Season
Since 2012, the Peitzer Karpfenwochen have celebrated the regional carp tradition as a culinary season. For six weeks — from late September to early November — participating restaurateurs in and around Peitz offer special carp menus: carp 'blau' (poached), baked carp, smoked carp, carp soup, and traditional Lausitz preparations. The organizers are the Office of Peitz, the Friends of the Ironworks Association (Förderverein Hüttenwerk e.V.), and Teichgut Peitz GmbH, which manages the pond farming today.
Gastronomic Partners
Over a dozen restaurateurs from Peitz and the region participate in the Karpfenwochen. Known from previous years:
- Hotel Zum Goldenen Löwen — classic restaurant in the historic town center.
- Karpfenschänke am Pinnower See — specialty restaurant right on the water.
- Other inns from Peitz, Tauer, and Drebkau offering carp dishes.
The complete list of participating restaurants is published annually at the start of the season on tourismus.peitz.de.
The Great Fish Catch — The Spectacular Highlight
The centerpiece of the Karpfenwochen is the Great Fish Catch (Großer Fischzug) at the Hälterteich pond, marking the end of the season. In 2026, it will be celebrated on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, 2026. It is the traditional draining of the pond — a spectacle that attracts hundreds of visitors. Fishermen use nets to catch the mature carp from the Hälterteich; live commentary explains how the process works. Alongside:
- Fish Market — fresh carp directly from the producer to take home.
- Klemmkuchen — a Lausitz specialty baked hot between two irons.
- Punt trips on the Hammergraben, the old industrial canal of the ironworks.
- Demonstrations at the Ironworks — the historic forge of the ironworks is fired up.
- Family program with craft activities and children's fishing.
- Regional market with products from Lausitz.
2026 — Anniversary Year: 725 Years of Peitz
The 2026 Karpfenwochen fall within the anniversary year of 725 years of Peitz: the town was first mentioned in documents in 1301. The entire year 2026 in Peitz is dedicated to the anniversary — the Karpfenwochen are embedded in an extended event calendar with special exhibitions, guided tours, and an additional town festival in the summer.
Experience Niederlausitz
Visitors to the Karpfenwochen should include Niederlausitz with Cottbus, the Spreewald, and the Lausitzer Seenland in their weekend trip. The Peitz Ironworks and Fishery Museum impressively showcases the town's dual history. The Spreewald (Lübbenau, Lübben, Burg) is half an hour to the north, and Cottbus with Branitz Park is just as close.
Peitzer Karpfenwochen — edition 2026
The Peitzer Karpfenwochen 2026 run from Saturday, September 26 to Sunday, November 1, 2026 — six weeks of culinary and cultural programming centered around the carp tradition of the Peitz ponds in Niederlausitz. Organizers are the Office of Peitz, the Friends of the Ironworks Association (Förderverein Hüttenwerk e.V.), and Teichgut Peitz GmbH.
Throughout the season, participating restaurateurs — including the Hotel Zum Goldenen Löwen and the Karpfenschänke am Pinnower See — serve special carp menus: carp 'blau', baked, smoked, carp soup, and traditional Lausitz preparations. Parallel events include pond tours, punt trips on the historic Hammergraben canal, and special tours of the Ironworks and Fishery Museum. The season's highlight is the Great Fish Catch (Großer Fischzug) on October 31 and November 1, 2026, at the Hälterteich pond — the traditional draining of the pond with a fish market, Spreewald Klemmkuchen, ironworks demonstrations, and a family program. The Karpfenwochen 2026 are embedded in the anniversary year of 725 years of Peitz (1301–2026).
Programme Peitzer Karpfenwochen 2026
Culinary Season: September 26 to November 1, 2026
- Participating Restaurants in Peitz and surrounding areas with carp menus
- Carp 'blau', baked carp, smoked carp, carp soup, Lausitz specialty preparations
- Full restaurant list on tourismus.peitz.de
Parallel Program Throughout the Season
- Pond Tours by the pond masters of Teichgut Peitz
- Punt Trips on the Hammergraben (historic industrial canal)
- Special Tours of the Ironworks and Fishery Museum
- Guided Hikes around the Peitz ponds
Great Fish Catch at Hälterteich — October 31 and November 1, 2026
- Saturday, Oct 31, from morning — Start of the pond draining at Hälterteich, live commentary
- Fish Market — fresh carp directly from the producer
- Klemmkuchen Baking Station (Lausitz specialty)
- Punt Trips on the Hammergraben
- Demonstrations at the historic Ironworks (forge in operation)
- Family Program with craft activities and children's fishing
- Regional Market with products from Lausitz
- Sunday, Nov 1 — Continuation of the pond draining, program as on Saturday
725 Years of Peitz
The 2026 Karpfenwochen are part of the 725th anniversary year of Peitz (1301–2026) with additional special exhibitions and events. Latest information at tourismus.peitz.de.
Highlights Peitzer Karpfenwochen 2026
- Six weeks of carp season in Niederlausitz
- Over a dozen restaurants offering carp menus
- Great Fish Catch Oct 31–Nov 1, 2026 — pond draining at Hälterteich
- Punt trips on the historic Hammergraben canal
- Demonstrations at the Ironworks (forge in operation)
- Spreewald Klemmkuchen fresh from the iron
- Family program with children's fishing
- Part of the 725th anniversary year of Peitz
Prices Peitzer Karpfenwochen 2026
Karpfenwochen gastronomy: Carp menus approx. €18–€35 depending on the restaurant.
Great Fish Catch at Hälterteich pond: free admission. Food, drinks, and fish payable at the stalls.
Punt trips and special tours may have separate admission fees — details on tourismus.peitz.de.
Practical information — Peitzer Karpfenwochen
Venue
Town of Peitz, 03185 — Restaurants are spread throughout the town and the region. Great Fish Catch: at the Hälterteich pond, within walking distance of the ironworks and the town center.
Getting There
By Car: A15 Berlin–Cottbus, exit Cottbus-West, then B168 to Peitz.
By Train: RE2 / RE15 Berlin–Cottbus, stop Cottbus Hauptbahnhof, continue with bus 919 to Peitz (approx. 30 minutes).
Admission
Karpfenwochen gastronomy: Payment directly at the restaurant (carp menus approx. €18–€35).
Great Fish Catch at the Hälterteich pond: free admission. Food, drinks, and fish available directly at the stalls.
Tip
Those who want to experience the pond draining live should arrive early on Saturday, October 31 — the draining process begins in the morning. Sturdy footwear is recommended (pond edges can be wet).
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Peitzer Karpfenwochen al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Peitzer Karpfenwochen
Stadt Peitz und Hälterteich
Eisenhütten- und Fischereimuseum Peitz, 03185 Peitz