The fruit-growing tradition in this country dates back to the 12th century, when nuns and monks of the Cistercian order planted monastery gardens for their own use and cultivated the first fruit trees and shrubs, vegetables and medicinal plants. You can still trace this history today in the Buch monastery near Leisnig.
Strocken is the starting point for the cycle tour through Gallschütz with its bicycle church and on to Klosterbuch with the former Cistercian monastery of St. Marien, which was first occupied by monks in 1192. The Förderverein Kloster Buch e.V., founded in 1997, breathed new life into the old monastery walls after a long period of decay and offers guests historical guided tours where they can learn more about the life and work of the monks from a spiritual and culinary perspective. The regional farmers' market on the second Saturdays from March to December is also popular. The town of Leisnig enchants visitors with its charming medieval old town. Mildenstein Castle and the boot museum in Döbeln with the world's largest top boot are well worth a visit. The circular tour ends back in Strocken via Polditz and Börtewitz.
