The Sorbian cultural information center for Lower Lusatia, housed in the Wendisches Haus in Cottbus, combining a visitor information point with a small shop selling genuine Sorbian/Wendish handicrafts, literature, and recordings.
LODKA is the Sorbian cultural information center for the Lower Lusatia region, run by the Foundation for the Sorbian People and based in the Wendisches Haus (Wendish House) in central Cottbus. The Sorbs, a West Slavic-speaking minority recognized under the German constitution, maintain a distinct language, dress, and craft tradition in the villages around Cottbus, most visibly in hand-decorated Easter eggs made using wax-resist and etching techniques, alongside woven textiles and traditional costume elements. LODKA's small shop is one of the few reliable places in Cottbus to buy handicrafts made by Sorbian artisans rather than generic souvenirs, along with Lower Sorbian-language books, sound recordings, and multilingual materials explaining Sorbian history and customs. Staff can point visitors to nearby exhibitions and, seasonally, to Sorbian craft demonstrations and festivals in the surrounding Lausitz villages. As an information center rather than a retail shop, its hours are limited to weekday office hours.
| Hours | Mon–Fri 10:00–16:30; closed weekends |
|---|---|
| Price | €–€€ |
| Address | August-Bebel-Straße 82, 03046 Cottbus |
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Location
August-Bebel-Straße 82, 03046 Cottbus
51.7565, 14.3350 View on map
Highlights
- Genuine Sorbian/Wendish hand-decorated Easter eggs and woven crafts
- Lower Sorbian-language books and recordings
- Housed in the historic Wendisches Haus in central Cottbus
Tips for visiting
- Hand-decorated Sorbian Easter eggs typically cost roughly €4–€10 (~$4.32–$10.80) depending on size and technique.
- Ask staff about seasonal Sorbian festivals in nearby Lausitz villages, which offer a wider range of craft vendors than the Cottbus shop alone.
- The center is a short walk from Cottbus's Altmarkt and Spremberger Straße shopping street.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Sorbs and where are they based?
The Sorbs, also called Wends, are a West Slavic-speaking minority recognized in the German constitution, concentrated in the Lausitz region spanning parts of Brandenburg (Lower Sorbian) and Saxony (Upper Sorbian), with Cottbus as a cultural center for Lower Lusatia.
Is LODKA open on weekends?
No, it operates weekday office hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 16:30, and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.