Schönwalde am Bungsberg: Village History and Nature

Schönwalde am Bungsberg brings together a fieldstone church, a village museum and nature experiences. Near the village, the Bungsberg offers a different perspective: as the highest elevation in Schleswig-Holstein, it combines panoramic views with information. Historic sites, a spiritual circular trail and regional routes give your stay a range of possible focuses.

Church, Way of the Cross and Village History

The church and the settlement of Schönwalde were first mentioned in a document dating from 1240. The church was founded by Benedictine monks from Lübeck and is one of the later fieldstone churches built in Ostholstein at the end of the colonisation period. For a historical focus, it offers a starting point: its construction history can be connected with the settlement’s early documentary mention.

The Schönwalde Way of the Cross is intended for pilgrims and individual visitors seeking a spiritual experience. In the nature experience area, the spiritual Way of the Cross is laid out as a circular trail. Alongside the church’s construction history, its theme provides a distinct focus.

The village museum is housed in the former village school and presents the everyday lives of farmers, craftspeople and housewives in the 19th and 20th centuries. A historic classroom with slate boards and Mittelholm benches—traditional school benches with a central beam—adds a glimpse of the former classroom. The museum thus focuses on both rural life and the history of schooling.

The Nature Experience Area at the Historic Rectory

The Historic Rectory Schönwalde Nature Experience Area covers around 4.5 hectares and is open to the public. The historic rectory ensemble includes the rectory, the community centre and the rectory barn. The grounds also feature a restored glacial depression, rest areas, and redesigned orchards and rectory gardens. Wildflowers grow in the butterfly garden; an information point by the wetland is devoted to birdwatching. The grounds also include a Scout campsite with a fire pit. The combination of rectory buildings, gardens and landscape makes this an interesting place for both culture and nature enthusiasts.

The Bungsberg: Elevation and Views

The Bungsberg near Schönwalde is 168 metres high and the highest elevation in Schleswig-Holstein. The visitor plateau has an observation tower and an information centre; it can be reached by a short hike or by car. The telecommunications tower is open to visitors and its viewing platform offers views across the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park towards the Baltic Sea. The Elisabethturm stands right beside it: the octagonal tower is about 22 metres high and was built in 1863 and 1864. Before visiting the telecommunications tower, it is worth checking the latest access information.

Routes and Regional Orientation

Schönwalde lies between the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein and the forest- and lake-rich Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. It also provides access to a well-signposted network of cycling and hiking trails. One suggested local route is the Viertenteilshufe Route: it passes the fieldstone church, the village pond, the village and school museum, and the Schönwalde am Bungsberg Nature Experience Area. The route is mapped digitally but is not marked on site. So follow the tour description and check the latest route information before setting out.

Shape your search around the experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mönchneversdorf, Stockelsdorf, Sierksdorf, Riepsdorf, Grömitz, Scharbeutz, Großenbrode, Kasseedorf.

Return to the main travel overview: Ostholstein.