Mustin: St. Mary Magdalene Church and Monument Ensemble

St. Mary Magdalene Church provides a clear point of reference for Mustin’s cultural history. Nearby, the Garrenseerinne–Salemer Moor route adds a moderate circular hike through moorland and beech forest, passing several lakes. This gives you two distinct focuses for planning your trip: the local church complex and a hike through varied landscapes.

St. Mary Magdalene Church: Architecture and Furnishings

Mustin’s St. Mary Magdalene Church is a transitional Romanesque-Gothic church dating from the early 13th century. It was built in the tradition of East Holstein’s fieldstone churches. Inside, several periods come together: Gothic wall paintings, a wooden crucifixion group from the late 15th century, and remains of an altarpiece dating from around 1680. The dates help distinguish the building from its furnishings: the church dates to the early 13th century, the crucifixion group was created several centuries later, and parts of the altarpiece have been preserved. Mustin’s local cultural heritage is therefore centered on both the church’s architecture and its furnishings.

The Protected Church Ensemble

In the published version of the heritage register, the St. Mary Magdalene Church complex is listed as a protected ensemble; an update to the register is planned. The ensemble includes the church and its furnishings, the churchyard, graves dating from 1870 or earlier, a ring of lime trees, and a granite retaining wall.

Hiking Nearby

The Garrenseerinne–Salemer Moor route is a 12.3-kilometer circular hike rated as moderate. It starts and ends at a trailhead between Ziethen and Mustin. The route passes through moorland and beech forest, as well as several lakes. Access conditions and seasonal suitability may change; check these before setting out.

The Wider Region: Duchy of Lauenburg

The wider travel destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg offers a broader view of a natural and cultural region beyond the individual town. Forests cover 26 percent of the Duchy of Lauenburg district, which also encompasses 48 lakes. The district is also home to the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest in Schleswig-Holstein. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park is located in the heart of the Duchy of Lauenburg. Activities available there include hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in forest lakes. Four cycling routes are signposted in the nature park; it also has hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest. It has been designated a protected area for visitors to enjoy since 1960.

Visitors can watch waterbirds from the observation tower at Lake Mechow; with a little luck, they may also spot a white-tailed eagle. For longer hikes, the European long-distance trails E1, E6 and E9 cross the Duchy of Lauenburg from north to south, passing through Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. The circular route between Ziethen and Mustin starts and ends at the same place, while the long-distance trails cross the duchy through several towns.

Discover more destinations: Grambek, Krummesse, Klempau, Hohenhorn, Elmenhorst, Aumühle, Roseburg, Möhnsen.

Return to the regional travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.