Papendorf: Village History and Regional Discoveries

Papendorf (Vorpommern) is a municipality in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The municipality is primarily residential in character and has no major economic structures. Agriculture was once Papendorf’s most important economic sector; agricultural land in and around the municipality continues to be farmed on a smaller scale. Papendorf celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2002 and was first mentioned in 1302.

Papendorf’s History

In 1302, Margrave Waldemar granted Papendorf to the town of Pasewalk to settle a debt. In 1360, the Pomeranian dukes Barnim, Bogislaw and Watislaw granted the place to Pasewalk again. The different circumstances are noteworthy for those interested in history: the first transfer settled a debt, while the later grant was made by three dukes known by name.

Church and Historic Building Styles

Papendorf Church is regarded as an important testament to regional architectural and cultural history. A visitor notice dated June 3, 2026, reported that the church had been inaccessible for several years; check current access and road conditions before setting out. Its foundation walls date from the early 14th century and are made of fieldstone. The original building is a rectangular fieldstone hall, to which a west tower base was added later. A fieldstone wall encloses the churchyard. The bell is also precisely dated: Stettin craftsman Ernst Voss cast it in 1889. A World War I memorial also stands on Dorfstraße.

In the wider Vorpommern-Greifswald destination, the Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald displays the Croy Tapestry of 1554, a unique cultural and historical testament from the Reformation period. Alongside Papendorf’s church architecture, this offers another specific subject for a cultural history discovery in the wider destination.

Cycling in Papendorf and the District

A municipal notice published in November 2025 mentions a cycle path along the B 104 that leads in the direction of Papendorf. In the wider Vorpommern-Greifswald destination, the Brohmer Berge-Randowtal circuit starts in Pasewalk. It connects historic sights with views of the Brohmer and Helpter Berge and passes through villages, meadows and forests to the Slavic settlement of Ukranenland in Torgelow. The route has rail connections in Pasewalk, Strasburg and Torgelow.

The landscapes around the Haff and along the Peene, Uecker and Randow can also be explored by bicycle. Unlike the named circuit, the focus here is on choosing a particular landscape. This lets you distinguish between a specific route with designated start and end points and a broader cycling perspective on the district.

Nature and Activities in Vorpommern-Greifswald

In the wider destination, pine and beech forests as well as the Ueckermünde Heath are promoted as areas for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Canoeing and beaver watching are also promoted elsewhere in the district. When planning excursions, you can choose between these themes according to your preferred activity: getting active in forest and heath landscapes, cycling along various waterways, or enjoying experiences related to water and nature watching.

Choose Accommodation According to Your Travel Focus

When looking for accommodation, one question can help: should Papendorf’s local history be the focus of your trip, or would you like to plan excursions to particular landscapes and places in the district? For a specific circuit, the start and end points mentioned are a practical reference when choosing where to stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Schönwalde, Zerrenthin, Viereck, Fahrenwalde, Jatznick, Polzow, Nieden, Krugsdorf.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Amt Uecker-Randow-Tal.