Lübstorf lies on the northwestern shore of Lake Schwerin’s outer basin. In the district of Wiligrad, castle history, parkland and art come together. The castle is being renovated and is currently closed; the castle park remains open to visitors. This distinction is important when planning your visit: you can visit the park, but you cannot enter the castle. Check access to the park before you travel.

Castle History and Art in Wiligrad

Wiligrad Castle was built from 1896 to 1898 on the steep banks of Lake Schwerin. It was commissioned by Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg and his wife. The boiler house by the castle houses an exhibition on the history of the castle, its builders, the buildings and the listed park. This lets you focus your visit on the history of the estate and its park, even while the castle itself is closed.

The Wiligrad Art Association uses the boiler house as an exhibition venue close to the castle. Works by artists from Germany and abroad are shown in the gallery, foyer and castle park. The art association is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opening hours may differ on event days. Check the hours before your visit.

Castle Park, Steep Banks and Scenery

Wiligrad Castle Park covers 19 hectares and extends over steep banks directly to the shore of Lake Schwerin. From the castle site, there is a view across the lake. More than 1,000 rhododendrons were newly planted during the park’s restoration. Along with its waterside setting, these details give the park its own horticultural history.

The planned paths also tell a story about the design of the landscaped park: five kilometres of paths were planned to lead to specific viewpoints and small architectural features. This historical plan describes how the park was intended to be accessed. The Friedrich-Franz-Weg is another walking option in Wiligrad; check current conditions before setting out. Tall forests and fertile, rolling fields characterize the landscape around Lübstorf.

Water Activities on Lake Schwerin’s Outer Basin and at Rugensee

At Lübstorf’s small harbour, the boat shed complex offers watersports enthusiasts, especially anglers, a place to relax by Lake Schwerin’s outer basin. If you would rather include swimming in your stay, there is a seasonal option in the district of Rugensee: in warm weather, you can swim in the lake of the same name. Rugensee lies within the Trebbow–Rugensee landscape and nature conservation area. Lübstorf therefore offers different ways to enjoy the water: the outer basin by the harbour and the swimming lake in the district of Rugensee.

Garden Offerings and the Wider Region

Wiligrad Castle Nursery includes a garden café, farm shop and arts and crafts. The garden café serves homemade cakes. As current operations should be checked, ask whether the café is open before planning a visit.

For a broader regional perspective, Northwest Mecklenburg offers a wider landscape context: in the north, the district includes the “Northwest Mecklenburg Hills with Wismar Bay”; in the south, the “West Mecklenburg Lake District with Lake Schwerin.” Northwest Mecklenburg’s landscape also features terminal moraine ridges, gently undulating ground moraine plateaus, sections of steep and flat coastline, meltwater and drainage channels, and outwash plains. In Lübstorf itself, Lake Schwerin’s outer basin, the park in Wiligrad and Rugensee are the main landmarks for orientation.

Discover more destinations: Gottesgabe, Pokrent, Perlin, Klein Trebbow, Zickhusen, Pingelshagen, Schildetal, Cramonshagen.

View the regional travel overview: Amt Lützow-Lübstorf.