Ludwigslust Palace was the former residence of the dukes of Mecklenburg. Together with its park and the town, it forms an ensemble known as the “Little Versailles of the North.” The perspective extends beyond the palace: it is the centrepiece of an almost completely preserved late Baroque town complex with a former court church and an English-style landscape park.
The palace’s exhibits also explore this connection. They present art and courtly domestic culture from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Those interested in the history of a royal residence can thus explore it from two complementary perspectives: the complex as part of the townscape, and the art and domestic culture at the heart of the palace.
Fortress history and town life in Dömitz
In Dömitz, the citadel shapes the town’s historical character. Built on the Italian model, the Renaissance fortress is laid out as a pentagon; its architectural features include bastions, casemates and a drawbridge. The museum in the fortress covers not only the history of the fortress and town, but also the Elbe, the harbour and bridges, as well as Fritz Reuter. Special and art exhibitions broaden the range of topics; check the current programme before your visit.
Dömitz also offers practical guidance for different ways of getting there: the town is accessible by public transport, car and bicycle. The town’s own harbour has moorings for all types of watercraft used for watersports. Passenger boats operated by the Heckert shipping company also depart from Dömitz. If you are planning around this service, it is best to check the current timetable in advance.
Monastery, moor and circular trails near Zarrentin
At Zarrentin Monastery, architecture and monastic history are brought together in guided tours. They cover the history of the former Cistercian nunnery, the nuns’ lives and the building’s architecture. There is also a permanent exhibition about the monastery on the ground floor. As visiting arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the current conditions in advance.
For a walk outdoors, the route description for the Strangen Peninsula gives a tour of around 4 km around Lake Kirchensee. It starts at the car park beside Zarrentin Church; check the current route before setting out. A dedicated nature trail offers another way to experience the landscape: from there, you can discover the calcareous fen near Zarrentin. The fen is part of the Schaalelauf Nature Reserve.
Other protected areas in the district include Lewitz, Sternberg Lake District Nature Park and the Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Lewitz is described as a landscape to explore, with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. These protected areas offer a range of nature experiences, while the approximate length of the Zarrentin circular route provides a specific guide for a walk.
Everyday history and regional cuisine
Pingelhof adds another focus on the history of everyday life. It includes a thatched longhouse dating from 1607 and evidence of historic working life. Staged guided tours explore the history of the farmstead and its people, as well as life in the past and today. Events held throughout the year add to the museum experience; check the dates if you are planning a visit for a particular time.
There are also several specific ways to explore the local cuisine. MAHLWERK Restaurant & Café at the Kulturmühle Parchim serves fresh regional cuisine. In the historic setting of Neustadt-Glewe Castle, the traditional Burgtaler and Burgfräuleinsalat are offered alongside steaks and fish. The range therefore extends from regional cuisine to named dishes served at a historic site.
Discover more destinations: Lübtheen, Parchim, Ludwigslust, Hagenow, Boizenburg/Elbe, Amt Banzkow, Amt Boizenburg-Land, Amt Crivitz, Amt Dömitz-Malliß, Amt Eldenburg Lübz, Amt Goldberg-Mildenitz, Amt Grabow, Amt Hagenow-Land, Amt Ludwigslust-Land, Amt Neustadt-Glewe, Amt Ostufer Schweriner See, Amt Parchimer Umland, Amt Plau Am See, Amt Sternberger Seenlandschaft, Amt Stralendorf, Amt Wittenburg, Amt Zarrentin, Matzlow-Garwitz, Goldenstädt.
Go to the main travel overview: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
