Sternberg combines a preserved historic town centre with local history, nature and destinations by the water. The Mühlentor gate and ramparts, the town church and the local history museum each offer something different. At Lake Luckow, a nature trail runs around the lake; on Lake Sternberg, rowing and pedal boats and a designated bathing area take centre stage. During your stay, you can choose between cultural attractions, a walk by the water and activities on the lake.
Old Town and Town Church
Sternberg’s entire historic town centre, including the Mühlentor gate and ramparts, has been preserved. In the Middle Ages, the town walls enclosed the Old Town. Of the four original town gates, only the Mühlentor, with its entrance and exit, remains today. These surviving features make the town’s former fortifications a tangible part of exploring the Old Town.
The Church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas is a three-aisled hall church with a massive tower. A fresco by Fritz Greve depicts the last state parliament held in the open countryside at Sagsdorf Bridge: on 20 June 1549, the Mecklenburg estates decided there to adopt the Reformation. The mural links a work of art in the church with a significant event in the region’s history.
The 66-metre-high church tower can be climbed. There are 189 steps to a platform beneath the Neo-Gothic spire; from there, you can see across the town and the surrounding lakes and forests. As access may be seasonal, it is advisable to check whether the tower is open before visiting.
Local History Museum and Town History
The Sternberg Local History Museum reopened on 6 April 2024 following extensive renovation. The exhibition covers important periods in the town’s history and the way of life of earlier generations. Visitors can also see calcareous sandstone containing fossil inclusions. Group activities and guided tours must be arranged in advance.
The history of the museum site also goes back a long way: from 1310 to 1329, it was the site of the former castle of the Mecklenburg prince Henry II, known as the Lion. From 1500 until the Reformation in 1549, an Augustinian monastery stood here. The museum and its location add stories of earlier buildings and uses to the themes of the Old Town.
Nature Trail and Experiences by the Water
Sternberg lies in the heart of Sternberger Seenland Nature Park. The surrounding landscape is characterised by gentle hills, almost 100 lakes, and the Warnow and Mildenitz rivers. On the edge of town, a nature trail about 4.5 kilometres long circles Lake Luckow. Its information panels were developed and created in 2006 as part of a school project by Year 12 pupils at David Frank Grammar School in Sternberg. The route combines a lakeside walk with interpretation developed by pupils.
Lake Sternberg offers another way to spend time by the water: visitors can enjoy a relaxing day out on rowing and pedal boats. The lake is also designated as a local bathing area. If you are planning to swim, check seasonal conditions and facilities; boat availability may vary. This gives you two different ways to enjoy the water, and you can check the practical arrangements in advance.
Planning Your Stay
The Sternberg Tourist Information Office provides a town map of Sternberg for download. If needed, check whether the download is currently available. When planning your stay, you can combine the Old Town, the local history museum and the town church with a trip to Lake Luckow or an activity on Lake Sternberg. If you plan to climb the tower or go swimming, it is worth checking the relevant seasonal conditions.
Discover more destinations: Langen Jarchow, Kuhlen-Wendorf, Zahrensdorf, Hohen Pritz, Borkow, Weitendorf, Kobrow, Blankenberg.
Go to the main travel overview: Sternberger Seenlandschaft Office.
