Baumgarten: Church Art, Garden Culture and Trails

Baumgarten was first mentioned in official records in 1233 and is a typical Angerdorf, a village built around a central green. As a village belonging to a collegiate foundation, it links its history with a Late Gothic fieldstone church. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between Baumgarten itself and the other villages in the municipality: churches, garden culture, crafts and walking routes are spread across several places in the municipality.

Church and Art in Baumgarten

The Late Gothic fieldstone church in Baumgarten was built in the 13th century; its central section is a half-timbered structure. On the south side of the tower is a clock with an hour bell, considered a rarity in Mecklenburg. The carved altar on the organ gallery also dates from the 15th century. It depicts Saint Anne with her daughter Mary and the Christ Child, Jerome with the lion, the Evangelist John with a book bag, John the Baptist with the lamb, and another sculpture of Mary.

The church lies on the Way of St James and the Way of Saint Bridget of Sweden. Thus, two named pilgrimage routes meet at one place, alongside the church’s architectural history and artworks.

Churches and Early History in the Municipality

Laase is home to a small Early Gothic brick church from the 14th century. Inside is a carved Madonna enthroned, dating from the 13th century—a medieval oak sculpture restored in 2002. It is one of Mecklenburg’s oldest and most valuable Madonna figures. Pilgrims and visitors from near and far make a point of visiting the church because of this Madonna.

The Late Gothic fieldstone and brick church in Qualitz was built after 1300. Its masonry consists of bricks and fieldstones, some of considerable size. The church stands in the middle of the village at its highest point and is visible from afar. During a comprehensive restoration in 1873/74, it was given a four-storey Neo-Gothic tower and two newly cast bells.

The municipality’s prehistoric and early historic past can also be traced through specific sites. Megalithic tombs in Katelbogen and Qualitz point to settlement in the region around 5,000 years ago. The megalithic tomb between the two villages dates to around 3000 BC and is considered one of Mecklenburg’s best-preserved megalithic tombs.

Gardens, Crafts and Events in Qualitz

The one-hectare rectory garden in Qualitz takes part in “Open Gardens MV” every year. Its flowerbeds include perennials, historic roses, vegetables, potatoes, strawberries and herbs; there are also areas where wild plants and trees grow undisturbed. Qualitz also offers walks through open gardens. Check event dates before your trip and, if you would like to visit a particular garden, find out which gardens are taking part.

Lilienton Pottery is located in the former school next to the church in Qualitz. Its ceramics range from small sculptures to complete tea sets. Visits and purchases are possible by appointment; arrange a visit before you travel. Dorit Liliental takes part each year in “Open Gardens” and “Open Pottery Workshops.” Check the specific dates before your trip. Qualitz also holds tree-pruning seminars in spring; it is advisable to check the dates for these, too.

Qualitz’s cultural programme includes year-round events, courses, choir singing and social evenings organised by the Allerhand association. Readings and talks are held occasionally in the Old Rectory, while Hannes Schützler’s printmaking studio offers graphic arts courses. If you are interested in a particular activity, check its dates.

Hiking and Experiencing Nature

The municipality of Baumgarten lies in a scenic landscape and partly within Sternberg Lake District Nature Park. From Qualitz, you can hike in every direction: across fields, through quiet forests or into the Warnow river landscape. In the forests near Qualitz, attentive observers may spot kingfishers and dippers diving in clear streams; sightings are not guaranteed.

You can also hike from Qualitz to the “Schwarzer See” nature reserve in Schlemmin Forest. A boardwalk leads through marshland with bogbean, marsh cinquefoil, marsh cow-wheat, cottongrass, and various sedge and peat moss species. During a stay, you can choose between different highlights: the churches and their artworks in Baumgarten, Laase and Qualitz, or the gardens, workshop activities and trails around Qualitz.

Discover more destinations: Warnow, Klein Belitz, Bernitt, Bützow, Tarnow, Penzin, Jürgenshagen, Rühn

For the full travel overview: Amt Bützow-Land.