Zehna: Village Church, Breeser Lake and Cycling Route

Zehna appeals to travelers with a range of interests: the village church offers a glimpse of medieval and later furnishings, nature can be observed from a viewing platform at Breeser Lake in the municipality, and the European Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route passes through the village of Groß Breesen. These topics differ in nature: architectural history, nature observation and cycling offer distinct starting points for planning your trip.

Zehna Village Church: Architecture and Furnishings

Zehna Village Church reveals several phases of construction in its architecture. Its massive, nave-wide lower tower served as part of a fortified church. The north sacristy, decorated with blind arcades, also dates from the original construction period. At the east end is a slightly stepped group of three windows; the east gable is adorned with numerous plaster blind arcades and a gable cross. Later additions include a brick entrance porch on the south side and a slightly recessed square tower top with a pointed brick pyramid spire, now plastered. There is also a bronze bell with a majuscule inscription.

The furnishings also span different periods. The wall and vault paintings date from the 14th and 15th centuries; the oldest furnishing is the granite baptismal font from the 13th century. The late Gothic carved altar from the 16th century shows the Madonna between four saints, including Saint Christopher, in the central shrine; the wings depict the twelve apostles. The wooden pulpit bears the year 1615 and the names of its donors, above all the Büter family. A choir epitaph from 1564 is dedicated to Mathias Passow, who held an inherited estate in Zehna.

The organ has two distinct dates: only the case remains of the small Baroque organ built in 1689. The instrument itself was built in 1919 by Paul Rother in Hamburg as Opus 170. The paired windows in the nave and choir contain stained glass from the Hamburg workshop of the Kuball brothers. The churchyard is laid out as a cemetery; its eastern entrance is a wrought-iron gate with brick pillars.

Nature Observation at Breeser Lake

At the Breeser Lake nature reserve, nature can be observed from a viewing platform within the municipality. The lake is the most important part of the nature reserve of the same name; its extensive reed belt is of great ornithological importance. An environmental assessment from 2019 highlights this significance. Ecological conditions may change over time.

Groß Breesen: Cycling Route, Café and Gallery

The European Berlin–Copenhagen cycle route passes through Groß Breesen, a village in the municipality of Zehna. There, a small café and the gallery of artist couple Susanne and Jörg Mücket bring art and enjoyment together. Discover graphically decorated porcelain, ceramics with oxblood-red glaze, one-of-a-kind jewelry made of silver, porcelain and gemstones, as well as double-walled ceramic tobacco pipes. Check opening hours before your visit.

More Experiences in the Wider Rostock Destination

In the wider Rostock destination, you can also explore Wildpark-MV independently or join guided wolf, owl and evening walks. In Sternberger Seenland Nature Park, the landscape is shaped by deeply incised breakthrough valleys along the Warnow, numerous lakes, picturesque hills and extensive forests; the nature park is especially suited to hiking and cycling. Another regional option is the historic Molli narrow-gauge railway. It runs between Kühlungsborn and Bad Doberan and is the oldest narrow-gauge railway on the Baltic coast.

Discover more destinations: Lohmen, Gutow, Mistorf, Gülzow-Prüzen, Klein Upahl, Glasewitz, Reimershagen, Sarmstorf.

Go to the wider travel overview: Amt Güstrow-Land.