Bentwisch: Church, Rectory and Village History

Bentwisch lies about three kilometres northeast of the university and Hanseatic city of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Warnow and the Baltic Sea also help define the landscape: Bentwisch is close to both. The village church, rectory café and other historical connections within the municipality offer visitors a range of points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Bentwisch, the town’s location and specific cultural and historical themes provide a way to get to know it.

Church history in two places

The Bentwisch church is the oldest building in the village. Work on the present-day church began shortly after 1300; the Gothic building was completed between 1350 and 1370. It is a Gothic brick building on granite and fieldstone foundations. Its construction history can be viewed through two aspects: the period between the start and completion of the work, and the combination of brick masonry and stone foundations. For visitors interested in medieval architecture, the church is a tangible historical landmark in the village itself.

Volkenshagen, in the municipality, offers a second perspective on church history. Its church was first mentioned in a document in 1297 and is more than 700 years old. From 1892 to 1895, it was remodelled under the direction of building councillor Möckel on behalf of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz. A 47-metre-high Neo-Gothic brick tower with a tall cross replaced the wooden tower. In Bentwisch, the construction period and Gothic brick building take centre stage; in Volkenshagen, these are joined by the early documentary mention and the 19th-century remodelling. As early as 1862, Friedrich Hermann Lütkemüller was commissioned to build a new organ. The tower rises above the crowns of old lime trees and is visible from afar away from the main Rostock–Rövershagen and Rostock–Marlow roads.

Rectory café and village festival

At the Bentwisch rectory, the courtyard café offers a different kind of attraction. It serves homemade cakes and aromatic coffee. Visitors are invited to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with friends, good company and a slice of cake. So alongside church history, there is also a place to enjoy food and socialise. If you are planning a visit, check the opening hours in advance.

The traditional Bentwisch village festival also has a specific date: it was held on 3 and 4 July 2026 at the festival meadow in Bentwisch. Younger visitors could enjoy pony rides, glitter tattoos and face painting. The festival also featured an open-air dance from 7:30 p.m. for guests aged 16 and over. The age restriction applies to the dance; the activities listed for younger visitors were part of other programme items. The festival can therefore be understood in terms of its different activities and evening programme.

Bentwisch’s location

For orientation, Bentwisch is located at the junction of the A19 motorway and the B105 federal highway. This road connection adds another clear reference point to its location northeast of Rostock. Together with its proximity to the Warnow and the Baltic Sea, it describes the village’s location without suggesting a particular excursion route.

Discover more destinations: Gelbensande, Blankenhagen, Rövershagen, Mönchhagen.

Go to the main travel overview: Amt Rostocker Heide.