Penkun between Seven Lakes and Castle History

Penkun lies among seven lakes and is also crossed by the Oder-Neiße Cycle Route, which runs directly through the town. The lake landscape and cycle route offer two different perspectives on the destination: here, the landscape takes centre stage; there, the focus is on finding your way along a cycling route. If you are looking for accommodation in Penkun, you can first consider whether you mainly want to get to know the town itself or make cycling the focus of your stay.

Castle History and Architecture

Penkun Castle was built as a fortress from 1198, expanded over the following centuries, and converted into a castle complex. This development spans several centuries. The town church of Penkun offers a different historical timeframe: it was built between 1858 and 1862 as a solid brick structure in the Neo-Gothic style. Its simple original furnishings are as much a part of its description as its architectural style. Those interested in architectural history can thus place two different developments in context: the castle complex, which evolved over a long period, and the church, built during a clearly defined period in the 19th century.

The Castle Museum and the Customs and Border Museum are located at Am Schlosshof 1. Both are run by the museum association and cared for by the Glowik family. If you are planning a museum visit, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

At the Castle Lake and before the Town Entrance

The Open-Air Museum (Early German Settlement) is located right by the Castle Lake and invites visitors to linger about 500 metres before the entrance to Penkun. Its location offers a distinct point of interest alongside the buildings in Penkun. This difference is useful for orientation: the open-air museum is before the town entrance, while the two museums are located at Am Schlosshof 1. This makes it possible to explore the destination’s historical themes in their different locations without treating them as a single place to visit.

The Wider Region: Vorpommern-Greifswald

Those who look beyond Penkun to the wider destination of Vorpommern-Greifswald will find additional nature and route options across the district. The three nature parks cover almost 40 percent of the district’s area. In the Ueckermünde Heath, hiking, cycling, and horse riding offer different ways to experience the landscape. This broadens the perspective beyond Penkun’s location among seven lakes, without conflating regional offerings with the town’s own features.

The cycling routes also differ in their geographical scope: the Oder-Neiße Cycle Route runs directly through Penkun. The Baltic Sea Cycle Route, part of the EuroVelo EV10 route, enters the district. The Stettiner Haff Loop and the Route of North German Romanticism are regional routes for exploring Vorpommern-Greifswald. When planning a specific ride, it is worth checking current trail conditions and signage. This makes clear which route passes directly through Penkun and which one provides access to the district as a regional offering.

Cultural Themes in Other Places in the Region

Vorpommern-Greifswald also offers a range of cultural and historical perspectives. The Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald displays the Croy Tapestry from 1554, a cultural-historical artefact from the Reformation era. In Anklam, the Otto Lilienthal Museum explores the life of aviation pioneer, mechanical engineer, and humanist Otto Lilienthal in his hometown. In Peenemünde, the Juliett U-461 is a museum ship in the harbour that visitors can explore on a tour. Check current visiting arrangements in advance. These examples highlight different themes—from an artefact of the Reformation era to the history of technology and aviation—and complement the castle and architectural history that defines Penkun itself.

Looking further afield to Vorpommern-Greifswald brings additional nature, route, and museum themes into view. Consider whether Penkun itself should be the focus of your stay or whether you would like to plan a broader trip around the district; this can help you narrow down your accommodation search.

Discover more destinations: Bergholz, Löcknitz, Rothenklempenow, Nadrensee, Blankensee, Glasow, Krackow, Plöwen

Go to the overview of the wider region: Löcknitz-Penkun administrative district.