Borkow brings together a manor house on the Mildenitz, historic churches and industrial heritage, along with connections to cycling and water. If you are considering the town as a destination for an exploratory trip, there are two distinct areas of interest to choose from: architectural landmarks and activities in the surrounding region, rich in forests and lakes. Local highlights range from an early 18th-century manor house to rail bikes on the former Karow–Borkow railway line.
Manor House and Traces of Different Centuries
Borkow Manor House was built around 1700 to 1720 and is situated on the River Mildenitz. Its grounds cover about 20,000 square metres, or roughly two hectares. This figure describes the grounds and gives an idea of their scale.
The site’s industrial heritage includes a Kaplan turbine dating from 1933. It is located in an old watermill right next to Kanucamp Borkow and is still fully operational. Another historic landmark is Borkow’s motte, built in the mid-15th century. The so-called “motte island” can be reached from the manor house grounds via a small bridge. These dates place the landmarks in different centuries.
Chapel, Village Church and Organ
Borkow Manor Chapel is in the eastern part of the estate and is one of the first Protestant churches in the region. Its full restoration was completed around 2010. The chapel therefore offers not only a glimpse of its historic significance but also its own more recent restoration history.
Borkow Village Church is a brick building, probably dating from the 16th century, with a polygonal chancel of the same width as the nave. “Polygonal” means having several sides and describes the specific shape of the chancel here. The church is also home to the “Mecklenburg Organ,” built and consecrated in 1997. Its mechanism plays the melody “Herrn Pastor sin Kauh” (“The Pastor’s Cow”) and features a moving waterwheel, a windmill with a cymbal, and moving cow heads. The architecture and organ offer different points of interest: one is defined by the building’s form and presumed date, the other by an instrument with moving elements.
Cycling Routes, Rail Bikes and Lakes
The Mecklenburg Rail Bike Railway offers rides along the former Karow–Borkow railway line. The rail bikes seat two to four people and are suitable for family outings. Borkow Fun-Bikes are also described as suitable for families. There are also numerous cycling and circular routes around Borkow, inviting visitors to explore the forested, water-rich area.
Near the manor house, there is a swimming area, a beach and a sunbathing lawn where visitors can relax. The wider regional setting is also important to understanding the landscape: the municipality of Borkow lies in the Sternberg Lake District, amid a wooded landscape dotted with lakes. The lakes within the municipality include Kleinpritzer See, Borkower See, Rothener See, Woseriner See and Entensee.
The municipality of Borkow also has a 3.0 km-long forest nature trail. Several information boards share facts about nature, plants and the history of the region. The trail entrance is near the village of Schlowe, east of the Karow–Borkow rail-bike route. The surrounding area thus offers a variety of attractions: a landscape of lakes, cycling and rail-bike activities, and a nature trail exploring the natural and regional history.
Discover more destinations: Hohen Pritz, Blankenberg, BrĂĽel, Kuhlen-Wendorf, Zahrensdorf, Langen Jarchow, Mustin, Dabel.
For the wider travel overview: Sternberger Seenlandschaft District.
