Rühstädt: Storks, the Elbe dike and late Gothic art

Rühstädt combines the chance to observe stork nests with a striking historical contrast: the late Gothic Quitzow Church. The town can therefore be explored through two distinct themes: the landscape of the Elbe floodplain and medieval architecture and visual art. For nature watching, the season matters: the nests can be seen from the Walter Fritze Stork Viewing Point from April to August.

Experience storks and the Elbe dike

The Rühstädt Elbe Dike Circular Trail leads through Rühstädt and the Elbe floodplain to the dike; the return route runs along the castle park. The “Walter Fritze Stork Viewing Point” is on the route. Its balcony is located at an old granary. From there, you can observe Rühstädt’s many stork nests from April to August. The circular trail thus combines a route through the town and the Elbe floodplain with a dedicated observation point.

The “World Traveller Adebar” exhibition at the NABU Visitor Centre Rühstädt, run by NABU Brandenburg, complements the nature theme. The centre also offers a live broadcast of stork chicks being fed, project days for school classes, holiday programmes, guided village tours and themed events for different age groups. The team offers guided tours of Rühstädt’s stork country for groups, by arrangement. If you plan to join one of these tours, coordinate with the team in advance.

Late Gothic art in Quitzow Church

Quitzow Church in Rühstädt is a late Gothic brick building dating from the mid-15th century. A late Gothic wall painting is located in the vaulted apse behind the altar; it was extensively restored in 1890. The church also contains a late Gothic winged altarpiece from the mid-15th century, depicting the Coronation of the Virgin flanked by apostles.

The architecture, altar and wall painting offer different ways to appreciate the church, from its brick construction and pictorial programme to the mural in the apse. For those interested in culture, this combination of architectural history and specific visual motifs provides a distinct focus alongside the seasonal nature theme. When planning your visit, you can therefore consider whether the stork nests, late Gothic art or both will shape your stay in Rühstädt.

Prignitz: more nature and culture themes

The wider destination of Prignitz offers an additional regional perspective. The Brandenburg section of the cross-state “Elbe River Landscape – Brandenburg” Biosphere Reserve covers around 53,000 hectares and lies almost entirely within the district of Prignitz. Cycling holidays also have their own place in Prignitz: the region has 1,100 kilometres of designated cycle routes and 17 recommended cycling tours that highlight regional sights and special features. Information about the extent of the cycle route network may change; check the latest information before planning a specific tour.

Another regional highlight awaits you at the Pritzwalk Museum Factory. Its permanent exhibition is devoted to the history of industrialisation in rural areas. Visitors can take part in activities at the museum print shop and hand-weaving workshop. The wider destination therefore brings together different themes: nature watching and church art in Rühstädt, regional landscapes and cycling tours, and industrialisation and crafts in Pritzwalk. If you would like to include several interests, you can view these as different ways to explore Prignitz without combining them into a single day-trip itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lanz, Perleberg, Pritzwalk, Wootz, Berge, Plattenburg, Wittenberge, Bad Wilsnack.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Prignitz.