Hohenfinow: Village Green and Fieldstone Church

Hohenfinow and its districts of Karlswerk and Struwenberg lie among fields, meadows, and woodland on the edge of the Barnim region. The village is one of Brandenburg’s ten historic village centers. Its special appeal lies in the combination of a rural setting and a tangible history: the village green, church, and cemetery each offer a different way to get to know the place.

A Fieldstone Church with Layers from Several Eras

The village church was built before 1250 as a three-aisled fieldstone basilica. Its structure includes a west tower, a choir, and a semicircular apse. After it was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, it was rebuilt on a smaller scale. The building thus brings together early architectural history and a later reconstruction shaped by the war. Since 2004, the historic wall paintings from 1910 have shone in renewed splendor. The design of the arcade piers is also worth a closer look: shaped fieldstones form a capital-like finish at their ends.

You can also view the restored church from the inside; check in advance when a visit is possible. This is a good opportunity not only to see the architectural features from the outside, but also to take a closer look at the wall paintings and the church interior.

Village Green, Cemetery, and Brewing Tradition

The village green, with four rows of trees, stretches from the former castle toward the church. The castle itself was a two-story building, damaged in 1945 and demolished around 1961. Visitors can stroll beneath the old lime trees on the green. For a stay focused on local history, walking along the village green complements a visit to the church with another notable place.

The cemetery is also part of local history: it is home to the Bethmann-Hollweg grave, and a burial chapel has been preserved. You can visit the cemetery on foot. Together, the village green, church, and cemetery bring Hohenfinow’s history into focus across several specific locations.

The Barnimer Brauhaus adds a different local touch, brewing regional beer in Hohenfinow/Struwenberg. Traditionally brewed varieties include Landbier, Festbier, and Pils. Bottled and keg beer are sold at the brewery courtyard. If you plan to buy some, check the current options before making a detour.

Barnim: Trails, Water, and More to Discover

The wider Barnim travel region also offers plenty of nature experiences: cycling in Barnim Nature Park, hiking in the Schorfheide, and relaxing at numerous swimming lakes are different ways to explore the region. Stages 4 to 6 of the 66 Lakes Hiking Trail pass through Barnim Nature Park. The 143-kilometer circular “Around the Schorfheide” hiking trail also runs through the nature park. For cyclists, the cycling network in Barnim district totals 610 kilometers.

Water and cultural attractions offer further ways to explore Barnim. Boat tours operate on Lake Werbellin, and canoe trips are possible on the Finow Canal. The Finow Canal is Germany’s oldest artificial waterway still open to navigation. The wider Barnim travel region is also home to notable landmarks such as Chorin Monastery, a key example of North German Brick Gothic, and the Niederfinow Boat Lift, Germany’s oldest working boat lift. The ostrich farm at Liebenstein is the first ostrich farm in Barnim district.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Accommodation Search

Hohenfinow offers a distinct focus on village history and culture; the other activities and sights mentioned belong to the wider Barnim travel region. When looking for accommodation, you can first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: Hohenfinow’s village history and brewing tradition, or hiking, cycling, water, and culture across the wider Barnim region. This priority can help you choose a place to stay that suits your personal travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Schorfheide, Liepe, Ahrensfelde, Lunow-Stolzenhagen, Oderberg, Marienwerder, Parsteinsee, Friedrichswalde.

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Barnim.