Balow: Village History, Church and Culture

Balow lies in a typically Mecklenburg landscape in the southeast of the Ludwigslust-Parchim district. The village was laid out as a Slavic cul-de-sac settlement with two village centres and just one entrance. These features give the settlement a distinctive character. Anyone wishing to learn about Balow through its history will find a concrete starting point in its unusual layout for exploring the character of the place.

Church and Architectural Heritage

The church in Balow combines architectural features from different periods: its nave has pilasters in the late Renaissance style, and the Baroque pulpit altar is dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The furnishings also include a chair with armrests, decorated with carvings, dating from 1705; it was used as a bridal chair at the time. The date and its former function give this piece of furniture a distinctive historical perspective. Balow Manor House was also highlighted as a building that shapes and embodies the identity of the village in connection with the 2012 European Village Renewal Award.

Culture and Local Activities

Advent concerts traditionally take place over four days at Balow’s KUK, performed by the SwingSide BigBand. If you would like to plan your trip around a concert, check the latest dates and performers, as both may change. Since 2012, the KUK has also had an outdoor area for health and fitness activities. For major events such as school enrolment celebrations and school festivals, either the KUK or the Kulturarena, right next to Balow Primary School, is used, depending on the weather.

More to Explore in the Wider Ludwigslust-Parchim Destination

The wider Ludwigslust-Parchim destination offers a range of cultural attractions. Ludwigslust Palace was the former residence of the Mecklenburg dukes and, together with its park and the town, forms an ensemble known as the “Little Versailles of the North”. The palace is also the centrepiece of an almost entirely preserved late Baroque town plan, with a former court church and an English-style landscaped park. The palace showcases art and courtly domestic culture from the 18th and early 19th centuries.

In Dömitz, a different kind of historic architecture takes centre stage: the citadel is a Renaissance fortress laid out on the Italian model, with a pentagonal ground plan, bastions, casemates and a drawbridge. In addition to the history of the fortress and the town, the museum in the fortress covers the history of the Elbe, the harbour and bridges, Fritz Reuter, as well as special exhibitions and art exhibitions. If you would like to plan your trip around an exhibition, check the current programme.

The district also has specific places to explore for nature lovers. The limestone fen near Zarrentin is part of the Schaalelauf Nature Reserve and can be explored from the nature trail. The Lewitz is one of the district’s protected areas, where visitors can discover a landscape rich in flora and fauna. Other protected areas include Sternberg Lake District Nature Park and the Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The Müritz-Elde Waterway offers opportunities for water sports in the district. Dömitz has its own harbour with moorings for all types of watercraft used for water sports; passenger boats operated by the Heckert shipping company also run from Dömitz. If you are planning a trip, check the current timetable.

Next, tailor your search to the places you actually plan to visit.

Discover more destinations: Eldena, Milow, Prislich, Kremmin, Zierzow, Möllenbeck, Steesow, Dambeck.

Back to the wider travel overview: Amt Grabow.