Discover Barnekow: Manor history and church art

Barnekow’s history can be explored through several historical traces: the village was first documented in 1230; there is also the history of a castle and estate, as well as the brick-church tradition of the Gressow-Friedrichshagen parish. A pedunculate oak designated as a natural monument and a cycle route to Wismar add to the range of things to explore. This gives travelers various points of interest, from local history to a bike ride.

History across several periods

From 1359 until around 1600, a castle in Barnekow was the seat of the Plessen knights. A site believed to have been a twin castle is represented by a double mound that is still recognizable. This attribution remains a supposition; the double mound is still visible as a landscape feature.

In 1717, a farm called “Außenland” was established in Barnekow. During the Thirty Years’ War, the village was plundered repeatedly and was almost completely destroyed in March 1718. These dates mark two defining episodes in the village’s history: an establishment in the early 18th century and severe destruction shortly afterward.

Clearly dated periods of ownership of the Barnekow estate include the years 1789 to 1864, when it belonged to the von Ladiges family, and 1888 to 1945, when the von Behr-Negendanck family owned it. These periods provide a concrete framework for the estate’s eventful history.

The former manor house was demolished by blasting in 1989; a green space was created on the site. The old smithy also disappeared: it was demolished in 1987–1988, after which a building with a restaurant was erected in its place. The former uses are thus connected in different ways with the village’s present-day landmarks.

Churches, natural monument, and cycle route

Barnekow belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Gressow-Friedrichshagen, which includes the churches in Gressow and Friedrichshagen. One typical brick church in the parish is considered to date in its present form from the mid-14th century. One of the parish’s churches is distinguished by its 18th-century furnishings and a Winzer organ.

One of the parish’s brick churches is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Easter to Reformation Day. Check the opening hours before visiting, as visiting arrangements may change.

A pedunculate oak in Barnekow was designated a natural monument by the district ordinance of May 5, 2021. If you would like to see the natural monument in person, check access in advance.

A 5.8-kilometer cycle route connects Barnekow with Wismar. Before setting out, check the current completion status and route conditions.

The wider landscape of Northwest Mecklenburg

Across the wider travel destination of Northwest Mecklenburg, the landscapes vary: in the north, the district encompasses the “Northwest Mecklenburg Hills with Wismar Bay,” while in the south it includes the “West Mecklenburg Lake District with Lake Schwerin.” Terminal moraine ridges, gently rolling ground-moraine plateaus, steep and gently sloping coastal stretches, meltwater and drainage channels, and outwash plains shape the district’s landscape.

Gadebusch Castle in Gadebusch is part of Northwest Mecklenburg’s cultural heritage. Dating from 1573, this Renaissance castle is a rare example of Mecklenburg or North German Brick Gothic Renaissance and features reliefs in the regional Johann Albrecht style.

The “Radegast Valley” landscape conservation area also showcases another facet of the region. It covers about 600 hectares between the southern edge of Rehna and Lake Neddersee near Gadebusch. The protected area includes the Radegast’s strongly meandering, natural course, as well as adjacent grasslands, reed beds, woody vegetation, and swamp forests. In this wider travel destination, cultural history and protected landscapes thus offer distinct themes side by side.

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Groß Stieten, Metelsdorf, Lübow, Hohen Viecheln, Ventschow, Bobitz, Bad Kleinen

Back to the wider travel overview: Amt Dorf Mecklenburg-Bad Kleinen.