1004 - 2004

Pretschen - Leibsch - Gröditsch - Krausnick - Leibchel - Schlepzig
Archaeological finds many places point to early settlements, around 800 years ago. A wealth of game and fish as well as high timer supply made settlements for hunters, fishermen, stock-breeder and later farmers attractive.

image author: city-map Dahme Spreewald

On the 8th of August in the year 1004, six villages were first mentioned in a donation deed by King Henry II to abbot Eggihard from the monastery Nienburg a.d. Saale. For the ceremonial opening of the monastery, King Henry II gifted the two fortified villages (fort) Triebus and Liebucholi with all their land and all usages for reinforcement as well as livelihood.

image author: city-map Dahme Spreewald

image author: city-map Dahme Spreewald

He wanted to create an everlasting memorial in his name and secure God's blessing and help for his crusade. Part of the fort area were 6 jubilee villages, whose names are of Wendish-Sorbian origin and making statements about the local happenings and their inhabitants. For example:
Krausnick - Krusica
(settlement in the pear orchard)
Schlepzig - Zloupisti
(built on watery soil and poles)
Leibsch - Liubsi or Luboch
(name of village owner)