Gützkow: Discover Lake Kosenow and its history

Gützkow combines walks along Lake Kosenow with traces of a long history. A hiking trail by the lake invites you to explore on foot in every season; near the old town, you’ll come across an impressive Slavic hillfort. Church architecture and archaeological finds tell stories from different eras, making the town an appealing destination for history enthusiasts.

Walks and waterside experiences at Lake Kosenow

The circular trail around Lake Kosenow offers a chance to get to know Gützkow on foot in different seasons. You can enjoy a walk here all year round. In summer, there’s also a bathing area, popular with visitors of all ages. The lake is also a popular destination for residents and visitors from Gützkow and the surrounding communities.

Lake Kosenow offers two kinds of experience: a destination for a walk in any season and, in summer, a place to go swimming. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you’d rather make your stay about a walk or a summer swim.

The hillfort and the town’s history

The impressive Slavic hillfort lies close to the old town. Its history extends beyond the Slavic period: the fortification was also used during the period of German law and later built over with a stone castle. Different phases of settlement thus come together at this site.

Limited excavations at the hillfort in 1935 uncovered old plank roads and five superimposed log houses, one above another on the same site. These finds offer a tangible insight into Gützkow’s archaeological history: several houses were documented in the same location, along with the roads. History enthusiasts can explore the hillfort while considering how the site’s use and buildings changed over time.

St. Nicolai Parish Church is another historic landmark in Gützkow. Its oldest parts date from the mid- or second half of the 13th century. The present building is closely linked to Gützkow’s founding as a German town and replaced a church from the 12th century. That church was probably destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly. The different dates show that the church’s history spans several phases of construction.

The castle chapel and riverside rest area

Another chapter in the town’s architectural history is the castle chapel in Gützkow. Built in 1859 from yellow bricks in the Neo-Gothic style, it was reconstructed between 1996 and 2003. Its year of construction, materials and style give it a distinct character alongside the oldest parts of St. Nicolai. Comparing the two church buildings reveals different historical periods and designs.

The Gützkow riverside rest area is also a useful landmark for river travellers. It is located on the Swinow and has comfortable sanitary facilities.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Gribow, Bandelin, Groß Polzin, Wrangelsburg, Karlsburg, Murchin, Ziethen, Schmatzin.

See the overview of the wider area: Amt Züssow.