Discover Krummesse: Church and Landscape

Krummesse combines a clearly identifiable historic centre with a distinctive landscape: centrally located St. John’s Church was completed around 1270, and the village lies in the Stecknitz-Delvenau Lowlands. Here, architectural history meets the contours of a broad glacial valley. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether to focus on Krummesse itself or on the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg.

St. John’s and the historic ensemble

St. John’s Church is a reference point for Krummesse’s long history. Its historic ensemble includes an 18th-century rectory and the pastor’s former widows’ house. The various buildings make the church interesting not only as a structure in its own right, but also in the context of its historic surroundings.

The church is accessible to visitors with disabilities and is open daily from Easter to Thanksgiving, between 09:00 and 17:00. Check the seasonal opening hours before your visit. If you are interested in the village’s history, you can combine a visit to the church with a look at the associated buildings.

The Stecknitz-Delvenau Lowlands

Krummesse lies in a broad, U-shaped glacial tunnel valley landscape: the Stecknitz-Delvenau Lowlands. The present-day Elbe-Lübeck Canal follows this valley. The landscape is therefore not just a backdrop to a visit to the village, but a topic in its own right alongside architectural history. Anyone interested in how landscapes form will find a tangible connection here between the valley’s geological shape and the course of the canal.

Landscape and nature in the Duchy of Lauenburg

The wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg has a varied landscape: forests cover 26 percent of the district, and it has 48 lakes. The district is also home to the Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous forest.

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies in the heart of the duchy. Its area, about 35 by 17 kilometres, provides a habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species. The nature park has been established as a protected area for visitors to enjoy since 1960; visitor facilities include hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and rest areas. Hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in the forest lakes are possible activities there. There are also four signposted cycling routes.

The observation tower at Lake Mechow is a good place to watch waterbirds. With a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle from there. Lake Schaalsee, meanwhile, is the deepest clear-water lake in northern Germany; its deepest point lies 72 metres below the water’s surface.

Routes, water and regional excursions

Those looking to include longer routes in their plans will find various regional trails in the Duchy of Lauenburg. The European long-distance footpaths E1, E6 and E9 cross the duchy from north to south via Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. The Old Salt Road long-distance cycle route runs from Lauenburg to Lübeck along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal and through the duchy.

Water offers a range of different perspectives, too. You can sail on Lake Ratzeburg. A canoe trip can run from Lake Schaalsee via the Lauenburg lakes and the Wakenitz to Lübeck; local access rules may vary. In the Duchy of Lauenburg, the Elbe, the more than 100-year-old Elbe-Lübeck Canal and over 40 lakes also offer opportunities for sport and recreation in, on and by the water. The regional themes that suit you will depend on whether you prefer to explore on foot, by bike or on the water.

Culture, nature and regional cuisine

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park offers guided excursions with experts on the local flora and fauna and the district’s cultural history. The Uhlenkolk Environmental Centre in Mölln has a nature-focused educational and activity programme for kindergartens, school classes, families and adults. Before visiting, check the specific opening arrangements and dates.

Other regional themes offer insights into cultural history: the Duchy of Lauenburg District Museum in Ratzeburg displays exhibits on the history of the Dukes of Lauenburg and the inner German border. In Lauenburg/Elbe, the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Mensch-Modell-Maschine” at the Elbe Shipping Museum focuses on navigation. Visitors can get hands-on with models and experiment stations. Kultursommer am Kanal is a four-week cultural festival held along the canal each summer; check the programme for the relevant year separately.

The Duchy of Lauenburg’s regional cuisine also includes its country and farm cafés, known for homemade cakes made with regional products. Nature, culture and a culinary break can thus be considered as distinct focuses for a trip, rather than combined into a single excursion theme.

Choose the right focus for your stay

In Krummesse, the main attractions are St. John’s Church, its historic ensemble and the Stecknitz-Delvenau Lowlands. For regional planning, you can choose between nature, routes, water, museums or cultural events, depending on your interests. Keep seasonal church opening hours, specific event dates and local access rules for canoe trips in mind.

Discover more destinations: Brunstorf, Römnitz, Breitenfelde, Elmenhorst, Lankau, Mustin, Schönberg, Tramm.

View the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.