Schlagsdorf: Border History, Village Church and Lake Mechow

Schlagsdorf brings together several themes for planning a trip: the history of the inner German border, a late Romanesque village church and nature around Lake Mechow. The Grenzhus focuses on the experiences of people in the border region. The village church adds a distinct architectural history highlight, while a circular trail, waterbirds and a place to swim are among the main attractions at the lake. You can tailor your stay to your interests and then look for a hotel for your trip.

Border history at the Grenzhus

The Grenzhus Schlagsdorf presents the history of the inner German border between the Baltic Sea and the Elbe from 1945 to 1990, from the perspective of people in the border region. The exhibition covers life on both sides of the border, the GDR border regime and the Cold War. It combines a look at everyday life in the border region with themes from political history. The time period and regional perspective offer different points of reference for anyone interested in the history of the division.

The Grenzhus regularly offers guided tours and cycling trips. If you would like to plan one of these activities, check the specific dates before your trip. The Grenzhus was redesigned and made accessible in 2018.

Getting to the Grenzhus

The Grenzhus Schlagsdorf can be reached by on-demand bus from Ratzeburg railway station. Check the connection again before you travel to make sure it fits your plans.

Schlagsdorf Village Church and its traces of time

Schlagsdorf Village Church is a two-aisled hall church in the late Romanesque style. It was built at the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century. Two furnishings mark later periods: the altarpiece dates from 1641, and the wooden pulpit from 1703. The church’s construction and the dates of its furnishings are therefore far apart. For travellers interested in architectural and art history, the church offers a tangible comparison between the medieval building and the furnishings added later.

Circular trail and nature at Lake Mechow

The circular trail around Lake Mechow starts and ends in Schlagsdorf and is about 9 kilometres long. Its approximate length gives you a concrete point of reference for planning your day. Lake Mechow also serves as a resting and roosting place for numerous waterbird species. Alongside the walk, nature and the lake’s importance to birdlife offer separate reasons to visit.

There is also a place to swim at Lake Mechow near Schlagsdorf. Check local bathing conditions before your trip.

The Border Trail

The Border Trail is accessible at any time. This makes it different from the Grenzhus guided tours and cycling trips, for which you should check specific dates when planning.

Northwest Mecklenburg in a wider context

In the wider travel destination of Northwest Mecklenburg, the north includes the landscape area “Northwest Mecklenburg Hills with Wismar Bay”, while the south is home to the “West Mecklenburg Lake District with Lake Schwerin”. The district’s landscape is shaped by terminal moraine ridges, gently undulating ground moraine plateaus, steep and gently sloping coastal stretches, meltwater and drainage channels, and outwash plains.

Northwest Mecklenburg’s cultural heritage also includes Gadebusch Castle in Gadebusch. Dating from 1573, this Renaissance castle is a rare example of Mecklenburg or North German Brick Gothic Renaissance; its features include reliefs in the regional Johann Albrecht style.

Discover more destinations: Rieps, Holdorf, Groß Molzahn, Königsfeld, Nesow, Dechow, Carlow, Thandorf

For the wider travel overview: Amt Rehna.