Velgast: Cycling Route and Cultural Sites in the Municipality

Velgast has been accessible by train for over 100 years. The Bodden Coast Tour also passes through the town. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between Velgast and the other places in the municipality: several cultural and natural attractions are in Starkow, Schuenhagen, Bussin or Manschenhagen.

Cycling route and manor house in Velgast

Route 5 A of the Bodden Coast Tour runs from Barth via Kenz, Löbnitz, Starkow, Velgast, Groß Kordshagen, Günz, Nisdorf, Groß Mohrdorf, Hohendorf, Barhöft and Klausdorf, then via Hohendorf, Nisdorf and Glöwitz back to Barth. Velgast is therefore part of a described route connecting several places. If you are interested in the tour, you can consider the route as a whole or see Velgast as one of the sections listed.

In the town itself, today’s Velgast manor house reflects several phases of construction: it was built in 1833/34 and remodelled in the following years. Both its original construction and later alterations are part of its history.

Brick church and culture in Starkow

Starkow is home to the richly decorated, three-aisled brick basilica of St. Jürgen, dating from the 13th century. Following an extension around 1300, it is considered one of the earliest brick churches in Western Pomerania; the German Foundation for Monument Protection classifies it as a “building of regional significance.” The church houses a Mehmel organ made in 1860, with 17 stops. After extensive restoration, it was rededicated in 2010. It was built in the workshop of Stralsund organ builder Friedrich Albert Mehmel.

The church is part of a historic ensemble that includes the rectory, school and sexton’s house, the parish barn, the preacher’s widow’s house and the historic rectory garden with its orchard meadow. The rectory garden has value in terms of garden history and local heritage and is a pleasant place for a walk. Garden tours take place during events or on request. Starkow’s cultural offerings also include changing art exhibitions, readings and concerts. The tree blossom festival opens the season in early May; the annual Appeldag takes place in October. Check the dates if you would like to plan your trip around an event.

Families will also find a specific place to visit in Starkow: the playground on Kirchsteig has a climbing frame, slides, swings and a large sand area. The facilities may change; check their current condition before your visit.

Forest trails and nature in Schuenhagen

The Schuenhagen Forestry Office has a history spanning more than 200 years, reaching back to the time of Swedish Pomerania. The listed forestry lodge is a brick building with an ornamental gable and is considered an example of Prussian administrative architecture. It continues to serve as the forestry office and is located directly on the Barthe. The river runs through the municipality and flows into the Barther Bodden at Barth.

The nature discovery trail “The Tree Treasure of Schuenhagen,” opened in 2022, runs through a small, species-rich woodland. Information boards introduce native tree species; at the end of the walk, a quiz leads to the discovery of the “tree treasure” in an ancient oak. The white-tailed eagle trail at the forestry office also offers information about the white-tailed eagle’s way of life and migratory behaviour. It is free and open year-round. Check access before setting out, before basing your plans on a visit.

The Schuenhagen climate forest is also near the village of Schuenhagen and can be reached via the L 212. There is parking at the forestry office; signs lead from there along a footpath of about 200 metres to the reforested area.

Bussin and Manschenhagen: manor house, mixed woodland and crane migration

The Luisenhöhe manor house in Bussin was built around 1770/80. It is named after Queen Louise, the mother of Emperor Wilhelm I. The area around Bussin offers opportunities for walks, bird and wildlife watching, hikes and cycling tours in nearby mixed woodlands. In Manschenhagen, the Bodden Coast Tour passes through the village and offers views of the varied coastal landscape. The annual crane migration can be observed there in autumn and spring: the birds head towards southern Europe or Scandinavia.

Discover more destinations: Splietsdorf, Wendisch Baggendorf, Weitenhagen, Franzburg, Papenhagen, Gremersdorf-Buchholz, Millienhagen-Oebelitz, Glewitz.

For the overall travel guide: Franzburg-Richtenberg Municipality.