Güstrow: Renaissance, Barlach and Wildlife

There are several reasons to visit Güstrow: Renaissance architecture, the art of Ernst Barlach, an international nativity scene collection and insights into wildlife. You can choose the focus of your stay according to your interests—whether cultural sites or Wildpark-MV are the main draw of your trip.

Renaissance, Barlach and nativity scenes

Güstrow Castle is one of the most significant Renaissance castles in northern Europe. It offers a touch of architectural history for culture enthusiasts. Ernst Barlach’s studio house offers a different perspective on art and biography. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Güstrow’s Inselsee and preserves traces of the sculptor, graphic artist and writer to this day. Its extensive permanent exhibition explores the artist’s life and work—from his first plaster models to his final wooden sculptures and bronze works.

A work by Barlach can also be seen in Güstrow Cathedral: the sculpture “The Floating Figure.” The studio house and the cathedral offer different ways to engage with the artist: one features an extensive exhibition on his life and work, while the other is home to a single named sculpture.

The North German Nativity Museum complements these art and architecture themes with an international collection. Nativity scenes from around the world can be seen there year-round. The collection comprises around 700 nativity scenes from every continent. A visit is therefore not limited to the Christmas season; at the same time, a worldwide collection offers a markedly different perspective from exploring the work of a single artist.

Wildlife at Wildpark-MV and in the AQUA Tunnel

At Wildpark-MV, the five-hectare predator enclosure, Raubtier-WG, is home to wolves, bears, lynxes and wildcats. Visitors can reach the animals through underground cave passageways and along climbing paths through the treetops. The site thus combines different animal groups with two distinct routes through the enclosure.

The AQUA Tunnel offers a different focus: it is the North’s largest natural aquarium and is home to more than 15 native fish species. While Raubtier-WG brings together wolves, bears, lynxes and wildcats, the aquarium focuses on native fish. Visitors planning their stay around wildlife attractions will find two clearly distinct themes here.

Güstrow within the wider Rostock destination

The wider Rostock destination broadens the picture beyond Güstrow’s attractions. The Rostock region is bordered by 62 kilometers of Baltic Sea coastline, with a series of seaside resorts. The coastal hinterland also includes the river valleys of the Warnow and Recknitz. This regional landscape perspective complements Güstrow’s cultural and wildlife attractions with a broader framework for planning a trip.

Transport information also relates to the wider Rostock destination: buses and trains in the Rostock district operate as part of the regional transport network. With one ticket, visitors can travel throughout the region, including the Hanseatic and university city of Rostock. If you are considering the wider Rostock destination as well as Güstrow, this regional information may help with your planning.

Discover more destinations: Graal-Muritz, Groß Lüsewitz, Amt Bützow-Land, Reppelin, Amt Rostocker Heide, Lütten Klein, Evershagen, Warnemünde

Go to the main travel overview: Rostock.