Leussow offers a clear starting point for exploring local history and cycling: the neo-Gothic church is a recurring attraction, and several bog iron ore routes pass through the village. There are also links to protected areas, as well as the recreation area at the Dörchforthsbeck. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between cultural history, landscape topics and cycling routes of varying lengths.
Neo-Gothic Church and Local History
The present-day church in Leussow is neo-Gothic and was consecrated on 18 October 1874. Together with its churchyard and rectory, it is a recurring attraction for visitors.
Within the wider destination of Göhlen, the church’s architectural history in Leussow goes back to its predecessor: the neo-Gothic building was erected in 1872/73 in place of a Romanesque brick building with a wooden tower. The construction phase and subsequent consecration date provide a clear timeline for the church.
Landscape and Protected-Area Connections
The “Lübtheener Heide and Trebser Moor” FFH site (DE 2733-301) also lies within the administrative boundaries of the municipality of Leussow. In addition, the municipality of Leussow is listed within the boundaries of the Flusslandschaft Elbe Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Biosphere Reserve. These are two distinct connections: the FFH site’s administrative affiliation with the municipality and the municipality’s inclusion within the reserve boundaries.
Dörchforthsbeck: Renaturalization and Recreation
The former bathing facility was incorporated into the renaturalization of the Dörchforthsbeck. A place for recreation and relaxation was created there, and it is used by people from beyond the municipality. Within the wider destination of Göhlen, the Dörchforthsbeck is located in Leussow. It was renaturalized with EU funding, and animal and plant species that had disappeared were reintroduced. The site thus brings together former bathing use, recreation and ecological reintroduction as distinct aspects.
Cycling in Leussow and the Wider Destination of Göhlen
The Großer Raseneisenstein-Abstecher (Great Bog Iron Ore Detour) passes through Leussow. The Raseneisenstein-Dörfertour (Bog Iron Ore Village Tour) passes through the village as one stage, is about 46 km long and is signposted throughout as the “Blue TOUR”. The approximately 46 km refers to the entire tour, not just the section through Leussow.
Within the wider destination of Göhlen, the 46 km Raseneisenstein-Radweg – Dörfertour (Bog Iron Ore Cycle Route – Village Tour) crosses the Griese Gegend and passes through Göhlen. It is considered a day trip for experienced cyclists. A shorter option is the 24 km Kleine Klump-Tour: a circular route for a half-day trip, suitable for families with children and less experienced cyclists. It starts in Glaisin and Göhlen and passes the Germanic iron-smelting site and the bloomery furnace model in Göhlen. The route length, duration and intended audience offer concrete points of comparison when choosing a tour. Check trail conditions before setting out.
Iron Smelting in Göhlen
The history of iron smelting is also part of the wider destination of Göhlen. The remains of more than 500 bloomery furnaces, iron slag and a blacksmith’s workplace are evidence of one of the largest iron-smelting sites in northern Germany. A reconstructed bloomery furnace stands in a glass case on the outskirts of Göhlen. There, visitors can see how iron was extracted from bog iron ore about 1,600 years ago.
On 18 August 2005, iron was smelted from bog iron ore, wood and peat in the reconstructed bloomery furnace. This historical demonstration drew on the Germanic iron-smelting practices used in Göhlen in the 4th and 5th centuries.
Discover more destinations: Sülstorf, Alt Krenzlin, Bresegard Bei Eldena, Groß Laasch, Lüblow, Warlow, Wöbbelin, Lübesse
View the wider travel overview: Amt Ludwigslust-Land.
