Peitzer Karpfenwochen with Great Fish Catch

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.