Two hours from Berlin to the former counterpart of Santiago de Compostela: once one of the most important pilgrimage centers in Europe, today an official thermal brine and moor spa.

When the big city becomes too crowded with events such as the upcoming Berlinale, new art exhibitions, and new openings, Brandenburg beckons with its relaxing spots. Here you can discover unspoiled nature, such as the glacier-formed hilltop village of Buckow in Märkische Schweiz. There is also plenty of history to discover outside the gates of Berlin: this small town is one of Brandenburg’s most important religious centers. So it’s never boring when you step outside the city limits – especially when it’s one of Europe’s most important medieval pilgrimage centers, which today is considered the only official thermal brine and moor spa in the Prignitz region. Bad Wilsnack made a name for itself among pilgrims from all over the world with its “miracle blood” legend; today, it is primarily the spa gardens that attract visitors from near and far.

Photo: @wunderblutkirche

Bad Wilsnack is closely linked to the legend of the miraculous blood. In 1383, St. Nikolai Church burned down. Three bloodstained communion wafers – the so-called “miraculous blood” – are said to have been found in the ruins. As a result, Bad Wilsnack developed into an important pilgrimage center, comparable to Santiago de Compostela or Aachen, attracting pilgrims from all over Europe. In the 19th century, the focus shifted from pilgrimage to healing springs and health. In 1929, Wilsnack was finally officially awarded the title “Bad” (spa).

The Wunderblutkirche (St. Nikolai) is a large Gothic brick church and one of the city’s central historical landmarks. Today, it is of great cultural and historical significance and serves as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and spiritual events. Quiet, dignified, and impressive in its size—especially in relation to the small town in which it stands.