Wackerow: Chapel, Moor and Trails

Several themes come together in Wackerow: Jarmshagen Chapel, the Great Kieshofer Moor, and routes for walking and cycling. Historic architecture, protected nature and trails shape the way the area is seen.

Jarmshagen Chapel: Half-Timbering and Building History

Jarmshagen Chapel is probably the oldest building in Wackerow and was likely built around 1420. Its half-timbered construction is still visible from the outside. This makes it one of only two medieval chapels in Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania where this construction has been preserved on the exterior. The approximate date and the visible building method offer two different points of interest: one places the chapel in time, while the other makes a distinctive feature of its architecture immediately apparent. Building history and construction thus stand side by side, rather than focusing solely on the age of the building.

The Moor and Other Landscapes

The Great Kieshofer Moor lies in the north of Wackerow and has been a protected nature reserve since 1938. Kieshofer Moor is also an important habitat for 21 dragonfly species. Its protected status and rich variety of species highlight different aspects of this natural area: the moor is notable both as a protected area and as a habitat. Wackerow’s landscape also includes the banks of the Rienegraben and Beek, as well as the Ryck. Meadows and reed beds at Steffenshäger Eichwald add to these named landscape features. The moor, waterways and areas around Eichwald offer different ways to describe the area’s natural environment.

Comparing Walking and Cycling Routes

The routes also differ in their landscapes and directions. The European long-distance footpath E9 passes through Steffenshäger Heide and by Kleines Kieshofer Moor. The Via Baltica section of the Way of St. James comes from Greifswald along the old “Greifswald–Tribsees” railway embankment, through Wackerow and onward towards Rostock. The Baltic Sea Cycle Route runs from Stralsund and the island of Rügen through Wackerow to Greifswald, along the tree-lined avenue of the former federal highway 96, which is a protected historic monument. The Via Baltica and the Baltic Sea Cycle Route offer opportunities for walking and cycling. They provide different reference points for navigation: heath and moor on the E9, the former railway embankment and direction of Rostock on the Via Baltica, and the avenue and route to Greifswald on the cycle route. This makes it possible to compare the routes by their course and the focus you have in mind.

A Cultural Perspective on Wackerow

Another cultural point of interest is the former weighing house. It was restored and converted into a book house called “Bücherwaage,” bringing together literature and history. Alongside the medieval chapel, this highlights the transformation of a former building. The two places offer different points of interest: one is about building history and half-timbering, the other about the connection between literature and history.

When researching accommodation in Wackerow, you can choose what to focus on: historic architecture at the chapel, natural landscapes around the moor and waterways, or a trip planned around the walking and cycling routes mentioned above.

Discover more destinations: Dargelin, Mesekenhagen, Hinrichshagen, Neuenkirchen, Dersekow, Weitenhagen, Levenhagen, Behrenhoff

Return to the overview of the wider area: Amt Landhagen.