Banzkow: Stör River, Mill and Village History

Banzkow brings together waterways, cycling and hiking routes, and a rich village history. The towpath along the Stör River runs into the village as a cycling and hiking trail; the Stör waterway offers another perspective on the waterscape. Cultural highlights range from a restored Dutch-style windmill with a thatched roof to the brick church with its historic organ.

Cycling and Water Routes around Banzkow

The towpath along the Stör River is about 13 kilometres long. It runs from Mueß along the Stör to Banzkow, then continues beside the Stör Canal to Gaartzer Bridge. This clearly defines the type of route, its approximate length and its endpoints. For planning purposes, you can compare this route with the Lewitz Cycle Route: about 95 kilometres long, it passes through Banzkow as one of its stages. The two figures refer to different scales—a route of around 13 kilometres along the towpath and a much longer cycling circuit on which Banzkow is one stage.

The waterways are also part of a larger network. The Stör waterway is 22 kilometres long and connects Lake Schwerin with the Müritz-Elde Waterway; it consists of the Stör and the Stör Canal. The Stör flows through the Stör Valley, past Plate and on to Banzkow. Its slow current is suitable for canoe and paddleboat trips. In Banzkow, spacious boat moorings have been built on both sides of the bridges. If you plan to use them, you can check their current condition on site.

Mill, Museum and Village Church

The thatched Dutch-style windmill “Lewitz Mühle,” dating from 1874, has been restored. Today it houses the “Zur Lewitz Mühle” mill restaurant, serving Mecklenburg cuisine, as well as a country hotel with a wellness area. Here, architectural history, a restaurant and accommodation come together in a single, tangible example.

The Störtal Museum Banzkow covers 300 square metres and presents Banzkow and life in the surrounding area under the motto “Living, Working and Life in the Countryside.” The museum also explores rural life in Mecklenburg and traditions that have developed over centuries. The motto brings together different aspects of everyday life: home, work and living are presented not as separate topics, but as a way of looking at rural life in Banzkow and its surroundings.

The brick church in Banzkow is neo-Gothic and was consecrated in 1875 after three years of construction. The village church also houses a listed organ by Schwerin organ builder Friedrich Friese, which has been played since 1884. The construction period and the organ’s history offer two distinct points of reference for the village church: its consecration and the instrument associated with it since the late 19th century.

Another feature can be found at the entrances to the village: four design elements were installed there in 2007, combining traditional elements with the Pop Art style. Their design adds a distinctive visual language to the historical themes of the mill, museum and church. Visitors interested in Banzkow can therefore explore different aspects of the village side by side: rural traditions, architectural history and Pop Art design.

Which Accommodation and Travel Focus Should You Choose?

If you start by considering the mill, you will also find a restaurant serving Mecklenburg cuisine there. For the rest of your trip, the different themes can help you choose what to focus on: the towpath is described as a cycling and hiking trail, while the Lewitz Cycle Route is a longer route with Banzkow as one of its stages. Canoe or paddleboat trips are another option; the museum, church and design elements bring village life and history into focus. You can choose accommodation and plan your interests around whichever of these aspects matters most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Sukow, Plate.

For the broader travel overview: Amt Banzkow.