Preetz: Monastery Ensemble and Clog-Making Tradition

Preetz appeals to visitors who want to discover architectural history and traditional craftsmanship side by side. The Noble Convent of Preetz, the town church and Preetz clogs reveal different sides of local culture—from medieval Brick Gothic architecture to a craft tradition practiced over generations.

Monastery Ensemble and Town Church

The Noble Convent of Preetz is a preserved medieval ensemble. It includes a Gothic brick church, former convent buildings and a historic gatehouse dating from 1737. Its furnishings also include notable individual pieces: a large Gothic choir stall, an old Nativity scene and a painted Mass of St Gregory. The architectural forms of the ensemble sit alongside details that offer a distinctive perspective on its furnishings.

Preetz Town Church offers a different historical focus. Its late-Romanesque stone choir dates from around 1200. Its furnishings include a Romanesque baptismal font from the 13th century, Renaissance chandeliers, bronze crowns from the 17th century and a suspended baptismal angel from the 18th century. The choir and furnishings illustrate different periods: objects from later centuries were added after the Romanesque section was built. Those interested in architectural history can discover a different focus here than at the monastery ensemble.

A Preetz Craft Tradition

Clog-making offers another cultural perspective. Lorenz Hamann’s family has practiced the craft for five generations, making the items known as Preetz clogs. Unlike the ecclesiastical buildings, this tradition tells the story of a craft passed down within a family. Together, architectural and church history and the clogs present a multifaceted picture of Preetz culture.

In the Wider Destination of Plön

For a sense of the surrounding landscape, it is worth looking at the wider destination of Plön. The district of Plön lies between the Baltic Sea and the Holstein Switzerland region and has about 50 kilometers of Baltic coastline. Around 80 lakes lie within the district. These include Großer Plöner See, covering 29 km², and Selenter See, covering 22 km². Large parts of the district belong to Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, which spans 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to experience nature as well as see rare animals.

The Baltic coast of the district of Plön offers swimming opportunities between Mönkeberg and Sehlendorfer Strand. Sailing, windsurfing, diving, boat trips, offshore sailing excursions, cutter trips and surf fishing are also possible there. The lakes offer a different focus: they can be explored by sailboat or excursion boat, and you can canoe along the Schwentine Water Trail in the district of Plön.

One specific swimming spot is the bathing area on Prinzeninsel. It has a gently sloping sandy beach about 100 meters wide and is accessible only on foot or by bicycle. Visitor facilities may change seasonally, so it is worth checking current conditions before making plans.

There are also a variety of options on land: the gently rolling landscape of the district of Plön offers suitable conditions for cycling and hiking. The district also has a signposted cycling network covering 850 km, as well as developed Nordic walking trails. As routes may change, check the latest information before setting out.

Plön Castle is one of the cultural landmarks in the wider destination of Plön. It stands above the lake of the same name in Holstein Switzerland and is the landmark of the district of Plön. Two audio-guided tours lead through Plön’s old town and castle grounds; they are free to use on a smartphone and each takes about 20 minutes. Check before your trip whether the tours are available.

When choosing accommodation, it helps to distinguish Preetz’s local cultural character from the lakes, coast and nature attractions of the wider destination of Plön.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kühren, Högsdorf, Wahlstorf, Lütjenburg, Bokhorst-Wankendorf, Probstei, Rastorf, Probsteierhagen.

Go to the wider travel overview: Plön.