Zirchow: Lagoon, Moor and Medieval Architecture

Zirchow lies directly on the northern shore of the Szczecin Lagoon and within the Usedom Island Nature Park. The Thurbruch lies to the west of the village; St. Jacobus adds a long church history, and Heringsdorf Regional Airport is located within the municipal areas of Zirchow and Garz. Nature, architectural history and aviation give the village different facets. When choosing accommodation, you can consider whether you would like to include the lagoon and moor, historic architecture or cycling connections in your travel plans.

Lagoon, nature park and Thurbruch

Zirchow’s landscape is shaped by its location on the lagoon and its position within the nature park. The Usedom Island Nature Park covers around 59,000 hectares, of which 5,500 hectares are nature reserves. The Thurbruch lies to the west of Zirchow, and parts of it are designated as a nature reserve. It is considered one of the largest lowland moorlands in northern Germany and is a refuge for moorland flora and fauna within the nature park.

Two landscape features help to orient visitors: the lagoon on the northern shore and the lowland moor to the west of the village. Those interested in nature and landscapes will find both the nature park’s wider setting and a specific area with its own distinctive character in these details.

St. Jacobus and the history of the village

St. Jacobus is a late Gothic brick and fieldstone church dating from the 13th century and the oldest surviving church building on Usedom. Its square west tower was added in the 15th century and later received a Baroque cupola. Several periods thus come together in a single building. Some of the medieval murals in the altar area have been uncovered.

The church’s former defensive function is also part of its history: during raids, its portal doors could be barricaded with wooden beams to provide protection. Lyonel Feininger often used the church as a subject for his paintings. In October 2022, the Kiba Foundation named St. Jacobus “Church of the Month.” The architecture, murals and connection to art history offer different ways to explore this historic place.

Aviation and miniature models

Heringsdorf Regional Airport is located within the municipalities of Zirchow and Garz. It has a 2,305-metre-long runway and an instrument approach. Flight schedules and airport operations may change; check the latest information if you are planning to travel by air.

The Airport Miniature World exhibition is located in the airport building. It features airport-related miniature models across more than 200 square metres. This adds a distinct aviation theme to Zirchow’s natural and architectural history.

Exploring on foot and by bike

Tour 18 starts at the church in Zirchow. After about 1.1 kilometres, the route passes beneath an old railway bridge; after approximately 1.6 kilometres, it reaches a larger wooded area. A place to sit provides the first rest stop. Check trail conditions and access before setting out. Facilities along the route may also change over time.

Paved cycle paths connect Zirchow with Bansin, Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, Kamminke, Garz, Świnoujście and Usedom. Surfaces and route conditions may change, so check your planned connections before setting out. On foot, Tour 18 follows a series of waypoints, while the cycle paths connect several named destinations. When planning your day, you can choose between a route with specific stops and a selection of different cycling excursions.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mellenthin, Ückeritz, Koserow, Stolpe auf Usedom, Pudagla, Loddin, Rankwitz, Garz.

Back to the main travel overview: Amt Usedom-Süd.