Wörlitz Film Days

Open-Air Cinema in the Wörlitz Garden Realm

If you want to see open-air cinema at its finest, head to Oranienbaum-Wörlitz in the Wittenberg district. The Wörlitz Film Days have been celebrated every August since 2015 on Stein Island – an artificial island in the middle of Wörlitz Park, created in the 18th century by Prince Leopold III. Friedrich Franz of Anhalt-Dessau as a homage to the Bay of Naples. With its Roman Theater, a replica Vesuvius, and Villa Hamilton, the setting resembles a stage set.

A Festival for Historical Films

For seven evenings, the film festival showcases historical and costume dramas – a program line that perfectly matches the atmosphere. Past editions have featured films such as "Conclave" (Edward Berger), "The Count of Monte Cristo", "Maria" (Pablo Larraín), "William Tell", and – always as the closing film – classics like "Life of Brian". Films begin at the blue hour: as the park slowly darkens, the Vesuvius lights up, and the curtain rises.

UNESCO World Heritage and Summer Wonder

The Garden Realm Dessau-Wörlitz has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000 – the first ensemble of English landscape gardens on the European mainland. Visitors attending the film days should plan to spend the afternoon exploring the park: take a gondola ride on the lake, stroll among temples, bridges, and islands. The Wörlitz Film Days are one of the most distinguished summer events in Saxony-Anhalt – smaller than the film festivals in major cities, but with an incomparable atmosphere.