Lehsen is best understood through the history of its estate. The two-storey Neoclassical manor house was built in 1822 and has a nine-bay façade. Its portico is supported by four Doric columns, and a clock sits in the pediment. The nine bays describe the façade’s layout, while the columned portico and clock are distinctive details of its exterior. The date of construction and the design give the manor house a clear architectural focus.
Manor House, Park and Nurseries
Associated with Lehsen’s estate ensemble is an extensive landscaped park with old and rare trees, former estate buildings, ditches and a pond. The estate’s history thus includes not only the manor house but also trees, water and other buildings. The architecture and landscape offer two distinct ways of viewing the ensemble: the Neoclassical house is defined by its architectural form, while the park is characterised by its trees and bodies of water.
Ludolf von Laffert adds another historical dimension. He was a farmer and dendrologist who ran nurseries in Lehsen. Dendrology is the scientific study of trees. Von Laffert’s work adds a specific person and the history of Lehsen’s nurseries to the architectural and landscape themes.
Wittenburg: Culture in the Wider Destination
In the wider destination of Wittenburg, St. Bartholomew’s Church represents a distinct layer of the town’s history. Construction of the Romanesque brick church began around 1240, and it stands at the edge of the market square. Its Romanesque decorative features include corner pilaster strips and round-arched eaves friezes. The three-aisled nave, divided into three bays, adjoins a rectangular choir with two bays. After the original tower was destroyed by a fire in the 17th century, it was rebuilt in 1908 in Neo-Gothic forms. It is 64 metres high and is regarded as a landmark of Wittenburg. The west gallery houses an organ built around 1848 by Friedrich Wilhelm Winzer.
Wittenburg’s old town is another distinct cultural and historical focus. The town has a characteristically Mecklenburg old town with a lovingly restored medieval centre. The ramparts are suitable for a walk at any time of year; local conditions may affect access. Two dates are important to the history of milling: the post mill was relocated from Schwerin to Wittenburg in 1890. The town’s mill museum opened in 1979, with the restored Wittenburg mill as its first exhibit.
More Things to Do in the Wittenburg Destination
Wittenburg is served by Ludwigslust-Parchim Transport Company, which operates various bus routes and an on-demand bus service. Check the timetables before travelling, as they may change. For a different kind of visit, the alpincenter Hamburg-Wittenburg ski hall offers indoor slopes with snow conditions at −1 °C. The main slope is 330 metres long and 40 metres wide. Beginners and children can use a 90-metre-long, 40-metre-wide practice slope with a 10 percent gradient. Check the slope configuration and operating conditions before travelling. Depending on your interests, Wittenburg can be explored through its town history, a walk, its mills or indoor sports, without conflating these themes with the history of Lehsen’s estate.
Discover more destinations: Körchow, Wittendörp, Wittenburg.
View the wider travel overview: Amt Wittenburg.
