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Kloster Chorin (Chorin Monastery; 703 77; www.kloster-chorin.com; Amt Chorin 11a; adult/concession/family €4/2.50/10; 9am-6pm Apr-Oct, 9am-4pm Nov-Mar), a romantically ruined monastery near a little lake and surrounded by a lush park. Some 500 Cistercian monks laboured over six decades starting in 1273 to erect what is widely considered one of the finest red-brick Gothic structures in northern Germany. The monastery was secularised in 1542 and fell into disrepair after the Thirty Years’ War. Renovation has gone on in a somewhat haphazard fashion since the early 19th century.

Enter the complex through the ornate step-gabled western facade which leads to the central cloister flanked by the monastic quarters. To the north looms the church with its sleekly carved portals and elongated lancet windows. Both cloister and church are an enchanting setting for classical summer concerts. On weekends from June to August, top talent performs during the Choriner Musiksommer ( 03334-657 310; www.musiksommer-chorin.de; tickets €7-23). A shuttle bus connects Chorin train station and the Kloster before and after concerts.

If you need to stay or just fancy a bite, steer towards the lakeside Hotel Haus Chorin ( 033366-500; www.chorin.de; Neue Klosterallee 10; s €41-69, d €49-89; ). The kitchen uses organic ingredients in some dishes, and claims to be the world’s first ‘honey restaurant’ where all dishes contain the sweet stuff (mains €7 to €20).

Chorin is about 60km northeast of Berlin. RE trains make hourly trips from Berlin-Hauptbahnhof (€7.70, 40 minutes). Trains are often met by bus 912, which takes you to within a five-minute walk of the monastery. Alternatively, it’s a 2.5km walk along a marked trail through the woods. Or rent a two-wheeler from the bike rental shop ( 033366-537 00; Bahnhofstrasse 2; per day €8.50) in the train station.

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NIEDERFINOW

033362 / pop 650

Tiny Niederfinow, about 20km southeast of Chorin, would be a mere blip on the map were it not for the spectacular Schiffshebewerk (ship-lift; 033362-215; www.schiffshebewerk-niederfinow.info, in German; Hebewerkstrasse 52; 9am-6pm Apr-Oct, to 4pm Nov, Dec & mid-Feb–Mar), one of the most remarkable feats of engineering from the early 20th century. Looking a bit like the exoskeleton of an aircraft carrier, it was completed in 1934 and measures 60m high, 27m wide and 94m long. Huge barges sail into a sort of giant bathtub, which is then raised or lowered 36m, water and all, between the Oder River and the Oder-Havel Canal.

The lift can be viewed from the street (free), but for better views climb to the upper canal platform (adult/child €1/0.50) and view the 20-minute operation from above. Even more memorable is a trip on the lift itself aboard a little boat operated by Fahrgastschifffahrt Neumann ( 03334-244 05; www.finowkanalschifffahrt.de, in German; adult/child €6/3; 11am, 1pm & 3pm late Mar-Oct). Tickets are sold at the information kiosk in the car park.

If you think this ship-lift is impressive, come back in 2014 when a second, much bigger one is scheduled to begin operation adjacent to the existing one. The new behemoth will be 130m long and able to accommodate larger barges capable of transporting the equivalent of 50 trucks.

Niederfinow is served by regional train from Berlin-Hauptbahnhof (€6.30, 1¼ hours) with a change in Bernau or Eberswalde, or directly from U-Bahn and S-Bahn station Lichtenberg (€6.30, one hour). The Schiffshebewerk is a scenic 2km walk north of the station; turn left and follow the road.

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Saxony

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Information

Getting Around

CENTRAL SAXONY

DRESDEN

Orientation

Information

Sights

Walking Tour

Tours

Festivals & Events

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking

Entertainment

Getting There & Away

Getting Around

AROUND DRESDEN

Schloss & Park Pillnitz

Schloss Moritzburg

Radebeul

Schloss Weesenstein

Pirna

SAXON SWITZERLAND

Bastei

Königstein

Bad Schandau

MEISSEN

Orientation

Information

Sights

Sleeping

Eating

Getting There & Around

WESTERN SAXONY

LEIPZIG