Schönbeck: Mühlenbach, Village Church and Brohmer Hills

Schönbeck brings together the history of its water and village with architectural heritage. The Mühlenbach stream flows through the village, and the village church is early Gothic. In the municipality, Rattey adds a manor house, a landscaped park and winegrowing to the picture. There is also Wilhelm Sauer’s life story and a circular cycling route through the Helpter Hills. You can shape your stay around a range of interests, from local history and landscape to cycling.

Water and landscape

Schönbeck is nestled in the landscape of the Brohmer and Helpter Hills. The Mühlenbach stream flows through the village; it was enclosed in a culvert in the early 1970s and later renaturalised. This sequence links two chapters in the local history of the watercourse: the intervention in its course and its subsequent renaturalisation.

Two artesian wells offer further specific points of reference. One is at the former rectory, and another is about 800 metres to the northwest. The Eichhorst nature reserve is also located in Schönbecker Wald, in the southwest of the municipality of Schönbeck. The stream and wells are located in the village; the nature reserve lies within the municipality. The water and landscape topics therefore relate to different parts of Schönbeck.

Village church and Wilhelm Sauer

Schönbeck village church is an early Gothic rectangular building dating from the second half of the 13th century. “Rectangular building” describes its form, while “early Gothic” identifies its style: together, these details offer a specific introduction to the church’s architectural history.

The organ is also part of Schönbeck’s history: the village church organ, rebuilt in 2005, was donated to Wilhelm Sauer in 1910 as his final work in his birthplace, Schönbeck. A plaque near the church commemorates the house where Sauer was born. Wilhelm Sauer was born in Schönbeck on 23 March 1831 and lived there until 1838. The church, organ and plaque offer different points of connection if you are interested in architecture, music history and Sauer’s life.

Rattey: Manor house, park and winegrowing

Rattey is part of the municipality of Schönbeck. The manor house there was built by Hans-Christoph von Oertzen in 1806, at the same time as the landscaped park. Wine is grown in the park. The area is described as Germany’s northernmost wine-growing region.

At Rattey Castle, the “Alte Kellerei” farm shop invites you to sample, shop and linger. It offers wines, liqueurs and spirits from Rattey, as well as “Brohmer Landbräu” beers. Check the farm shop’s current opening hours before visiting.

Charlottenhof Manor House is another chapter in the municipality’s architectural history. The previously unnamed estate was named after Charlotte von Oertzen in 1826; the manor house is privately owned. Rattey and Charlottenhof therefore represent different historic places within the municipality of Schönbeck.

Cycling route and getting here

A 40-kilometre circular route through the Helpter Hills is suitable for cyclists. Schönbeck is the first and last stop. The route offers a clearly defined focus on cycling, while the village church, organ and plaque provide connections to local and cultural history. Check current route conditions before setting off.

As a guide for travelling to the Brohmer Hills via the B 96, the route from the Woldegk exit goes through Schönbeck, Brohm and Friedland. When planning your trip, you can choose between a stay focused on local history, the attractions in Rattey or the cycling route through the Helpter Hills.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Groß Miltzow, Petersdorf, Woldegk, Schönhausen, Neetzka, Helpt, Voigtsdorf, Kublank.

Return to the main travel overview: Amt Woldegk.