Semlow: Manor House, Churches and Garden History

For trip planning, Semlow can be explored through specific historical themes: the manor house at Schloss Semlow, the village church, the cemetery chapel and the history of the gardens. These themes differ in architectural style and period. The fieldstone church dates from the early 13th century, while the neo-Gothic cemetery chapel was built in 1880/81. If cultural history is a factor in choosing where to stay, Semlow offers several distinct points of interest.

The Manor House and Historic Architecture

The manor house at Schloss Semlow was commissioned around 1825 by Carl August von Behr-Negendank and built by Friedrich Wilhelm Buttel, the court architect of Strelitz. The approximate date, the client and the architect give the building a specific architectural history. By comparison, the village church, which dates back to the early 13th century, takes you to a much earlier period. The cemetery chapel, in turn, adds a neo-Gothic brick building from the late 19th century to the picture. In Semlow, you can therefore explore different architectural periods without reducing the buildings to a single era.

Village Church, Bells and Murals

The fieldstone church in Semlow dates from the early 13th century. Its tower holds three bells dating from 1447 and 1611, as well as from the end of the 14th century. The complete interior decoration is also precisely dated: it dates from 1860 and is the principal work of Lübeck painter C. J. Milde. The church thus brings together an early origin, bells from several centuries and an extensive work of painting. This offers more than one perspective during your visit: the building’s history and the art inside can be appreciated as distinct historical themes.

The cemetery chapel in Semlow was built in 1880/81 as a neo-Gothic brick building. Its date and architectural style set it apart from the much older fieldstone church. Comparing the two religious buildings helps you understand both their different periods and the contrast between fieldstone and brick construction.

Historic Gardens and Planning Your Visit

The history of the gardens offers a different perspective from the history of the churches and buildings. An 1850 account of the gardens then being created in Semlow lists the park, the deer park, ponds, the forecourt, the rose garden, the orchard, the kitchen garden and a tree nursery. The list thus covers a variety of garden areas and growing grounds. It broadens the view of Semlow beyond individual buildings and makes the diversity of the gardens at the time a topic in its own right.

To arrange visits to the local heritage room and guided tours of the park, you can contact Mario Müller on 0172 3803931. Check possible arrangements with him directly before including these activities in your plans.

Vorpommern-Rügen as a Wider Context

The wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Rügen offers a perspective that encompasses the whole district. The district of Vorpommern-Rügen has an estimated 60 museums. Its cultural and landscape highlights also include the old town of the Hanseatic City of Stralsund, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar”, and the beech forests in Jasmund National Park on Rügen, which form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe”. These examples belong to the wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Rügen; Semlow’s own focus is on architectural, church and garden history. This distinction helps you consider local themes and the wider regional context separately when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ahrenshagen-Daskow, Langendamm, Schlemmin, Ribnitz-Damgarten.

Go to the main travel overview: Amt Ribnitz-Damgarten.