Preetz: Manor House History and the “Crane Country” Route

Preetz can be explored through two specific themes: Route 3, “Crane Country,” runs through the village, and historical traces extend from the manor house and its park to other parts of the municipality. When planning your trip, you can choose between the cycling route and manor house history—or combine the two. The different places and periods each offer a distinct perspective on Preetz and its municipality.

Cycling through Preetz

Route 3, “Crane Country,” runs through Oldendorf, Preetz and Schmedshagen. It is about 39 kilometres long and classified as moderately difficult. Its route follows the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, paved village and country roads, and both paved and unpaved cycle paths. Its length, difficulty rating and varied surfaces give you concrete points to consider when planning a cycling trip.

The route brochure was produced in 2012. Before setting off, check the route’s current course and conditions. A cycle path running alongside the road leads to Preetz; in the village, Dorfstraße leads to Gutshaus Preetz after about 200 metres. The manor house is also a named stop on Route 3. This allows you to consider the cycling route and this historical point of interest together.

Manor house and park in Preetz

The former stables are part of the Gutshaus Preetz estate. In the northern part of the park, two graves dating from 1856 and 1886 commemorate members of the von Bohlen family. A tulip tree and three large plane trees are also among the park’s notable trees; individual trees may change over time.

Gutspark Preetz is also home to an early German motte dating from around 1300. Together with the 19th-century graves, it provides a much earlier point of reference. Those interested in the history of manor estates will find several points of interest here: the motte, the graves, the park and the manor house estate.

Manor houses in the municipality’s villages

Historic manor houses can also be found in other villages in the municipality of Preetz. In Krönnevitz, a village in the municipality, the Neoclassical manor house was built in the mid-19th century. It had extensive grounds, remnants of which have survived.

In Oldendorf, also a village in the municipality of Preetz, the restored manor house dates from the 18th century and was remodelled around 1900. The manor house in Schmedshagen, another village in the municipality, has been preserved. These examples highlight different aspects: from a Neoclassical building with remnants of its park to the building history in Oldendorf and the preserved manor house in Schmedshagen. Route 3 runs through Oldendorf and Schmedshagen; the buildings there are therefore part of the municipality’s historical picture, while remaining distinct local points of interest.

Cultural context in Vorpommern-Rügen

The wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Rügen offers more than local manor house and park themes: the district is known, among other things, for the Störtebeker Festival. The district is also home to an estimated 60 museums. These figures refer to Vorpommern-Rügen as a whole; by contrast, the manor houses and traces of parks described here place the historical themes in Preetz and its villages.

If you are looking for accommodation in Preetz, you could start by considering which focus you want for your trip: the approximately 39-kilometre cycling route, classified as moderately difficult, or the historical manor house and park themes. If you would like to combine both, you can include Gutshaus Preetz as a named stop on the route. Check the route’s current course before setting off, as the route brochure dates from 2012.

Discover more destinations: Prohn, Groß Mohrdorf, Altenpleen, Kramerhof, Klausdorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Amt Altenpleen.