The major district city of Schkeuditz is situated in the north-western part of the Free State of Saxony, between the city of Leipzig in the south and Halle towards the north-west. The international airport Leipzig-Halle lies to the north of the city through which the White Elster River flows. The Elster Meadows, the Luppe River and the Elster-Saale Canal in the south of Schkeuditz invite you to take an exciting short trip through nature.
A popular recreation area for locals as well as visitors is the Schladitzer Lake in the north-eastern part of Schkeuditz, located in the districts of Hayna and Wolteritz and over 200 hectares in size. This body of water was created when an open coal pit was flooded and is a paradise for swimmers and enthusiasts of all water sports. Beginners may learn the fundamentals of wind surfing, sailing or catamaran boating here while more experienced sportsmen may enjoy their discipline to the fullest. Canoeing or playing beach volleyball is also possible here. A 5-mile cemented loop road is bustling with skaters and cyclists. City travellers on a bicycle will pass the lake on the 75-mile bike path “Coal-Steam-Light” from Wittenberg to Markkleeberg.
The City Museum located in Mühlstrasse provides travellers with a perfect overview about the history and craftsmanship in Schkeuditz. Not only the eyes of children will light up in the Toy Museum Zum Herrnholz in the Modelwitz district. Time just seems to fly when looking at all the historical dolls, steam machines, formidable knight’s castles, cute tin toys and miniatures made from amber. The main attraction of the museum is the world-famous, gorgeous Amber Room from the Catherine Palace in Saint Petersburg in a scale of 1:12. Parents and children may try all kinds of fantastic toys in the large play room.
On Leipziger Strasse, to the south-east of the city centre, the Traditionskabinett des Sächsischen Krankenhauses Altscherbitz awaits with fascinating artefacts from the evolution of methods in psychiatry. The hospital was founded in 1876 and has documented its history using original scripts, furnishings, apparatuses and clothing. In a historical sickroom, marvel at bizarre departmental instructions as well as a locking net with straight jacket for agitated patients.
Visitors will find an unusual ambiance in the former chapel on the Old Cemetery of Schkeuditz. The art Kapella chapel regularly puts on very popular art exhibitions.
The main attraction on a city trip to Schkeuditz since 1978 is the Astronomical Centre with planetarium and observatory in the Bergbreite Street to the east of the city centre. Modern audio and video technology and high-performance projectors will take you on a journey into the world of celestial bodies, meteors and comets. Be sure to take a spectacular look into the universe using the school telescope on the visitor platform of the adjacent observatory.
