Discover Elmenhorst: Church, Nature and Equestrian Sports

Plans for regional cycling routes and information about railway stops may also play a role in planning your stay. Which information matters depends on whether you are interested in history, nature, an equestrian tournament or finding your way around the area.

Village Church and Local History

Elmenhorst Village Church was built around 1270 by the Cistercian monastery of Neuencamp, now Franzburg. Its history can also be traced through later details: the Mehmel organ dates from 1870 and was extensively restored in 1999 by Rainer Wolter from Zudar (Rügen). Baroque wall paintings were uncovered in the church in 2003. The building date, organ and paintings therefore reflect different historical periods; they do not all belong to a single phase of construction.

Another place to learn about local history is the local history room in the Haus der Begegnung (House of Encounters). Visitors can find out about the village’s historical development there. While the church focuses on specific historical features such as the organ and wall paintings, the local history room provides insight into Elmenhorst’s development as a village. If you plan to visit, check in advance what visiting options are available.

Nature on the Municipal Boundary and in the Surrounding Area

The Krummenhagener See nature reserve begins at Elmenhorst’s northwestern municipal boundary. It provides habitat for a diverse range of breeding and migratory birds, making the area a point of interest at different stages of the bird year. The location is important: the lake is associated with the municipal boundary, not described as a feature of the village centre.

The Zarrendorfer peat cuttings are another nearby natural area. They lie northeast of Elmenhorst and are home to otters. The two areas therefore differ both in location and in the natural features mentioned: breeding and migratory birds are the focus at Krummenhagener See, while otters are found at the peat cuttings.

Equestrian Sports and the Pentecost Tournament

A recurring event in the village is the annual horse-riding and show-jumping tournament held at Pentecost. More than 300 riders take part. If the tournament is the main reason for your trip, confirm the current date in advance before planning your stay around it.

Equestrian sports in Elmenhorst are not limited to the tournament. The Elmenhorst Riding and Driving Club (Reit- und Fahrverein Elmenhorst e.V.) offers interested people the opportunity to learn to ride and take part in the sport. The tournament and the club are two different points of interest: the tournament is an annual event held at Pentecost; the club offers the opportunity to learn and practise riding. If you have specific plans to visit or take part, it is advisable to check the relevant arrangements in advance.

Cycling Plans and Railway Stops

For cycling, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s cycling route plan provides for a regional main route through the municipality of Elmenhorst. The planned route runs from Grimmen via Wittenhagen, Elmenhorst, Zarrendorf, Wendorf and Voigdehagen to Stralsund. A further main route is planned from Krummenhagen via Elmenhorst and Neu Elmenhorst to Ahrendsee and Brandshagen. Both plans include Elmenhorst on different route alignments; they should be understood as plans, not as confirmation of a fully existing or signposted route. Check the current signage before setting out on a cycling trip.

There are stops in Elmenhorst and Wittenhagen on a second railway line. For a specific journey, check the current service and timetable. This allows you to match the information about the area to your actual travel plans: tournament dates matter for Pentecost, the cycling routes are still at the planning stage, and for rail travel the current timetable is what counts.

When choosing a hotel in Elmenhorst, you can first decide what will shape your stay: historical interests, nature, equestrian sports, or planning a cycling or rail journey. The information on each topic can help guide your choice without assuming any particular hotel amenities or current transport connections.

Discover more destinations: Wittenhagen, Sundhagen

For the overview of the wider area, see: Amt Miltzow.