Finkenthal brings together ecclesiastical architectural history and rural architecture with nature in the surrounding area. The chapel and historic farm buildings offer different points of interest; the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle lie north of the village. The nearby deciduous forests invite you to go hiking, and in spring they are joined by carpets of corydalis and anemones. You can choose between local history, a seasonal nature experience, or both as the focus of your trip.
Chapel and Church History
Finkenthal’s chapel was built in 1805 in a simple half-timbered style on the site of a place of worship first mentioned in 1560. It is a branch church of Altkalen. The organ was added later: Altkalen’s sexton Cordes made it in 1831. The dates mark different milestones—the first mention of the former place of worship, the construction of the chapel and the making of the instrument. Together, they provide a timeline for Finkenthal’s church history without equating these three architectural and historical references.
Hall Houses and Farmstead Ensemble
The Low German hall house at Hufe V has retained its original appearance and is a listed building. A farmhouse of the hall-house type is located at Dorfstraße 70. The ensemble at the Forsthof in Finkenthal has also retained its original appearance and is listed. It comprises a residence, a stable and a barn. The examples differ in scale: the hall house is a building type, while the Forsthof is an ensemble of several buildings. The village’s architectural history thus encompasses both individual house types and the setting of a farmstead.
Motte-and-Bailey Castle and Nature
The remains of a motte-and-bailey castle lie on Schlossberg, 1.5 km north of Finkenthal. They are considered evidence of early noble ownership in Finkenthal. The castle remains thus add another historical trace to the themes of the chapel and farm buildings—a different kind of architectural heritage from the surviving buildings.
The deciduous forests in the surrounding area invite you to go hiking. In spring in particular, they display lush carpets of corydalis and anemones. If you want to travel to see these flowers, spring is the right seasonal focus; hiking and the distinctive floral display are two separate reasons to plan a visit to the area.
The “Dammer Postmoor” nature reserve covers approximately 235 hectares and includes parts of the Finkenthal municipality in the districts of Schlutow and Fürstenhof. It preserves a richly varied, secluded forest-and-moor complex as a representative section of a natural glacial till landscape. The nature reserve ordinance of 14 August 2000 prohibits entering areas outside marked paths and cycling off these paths. As the ordinance dates from 2000, check the current information about the area before visiting.
Location and Dining
Federal Highway 110 passes Finkenthal halfway between Gnoien and Dargun, providing a specific reference point for road navigation. In the municipality of Finkenthal, the “Steak & Fish” restaurant is located behind the forestry office. Check in advance whether it is currently open for your visit.
Discover more destinations: LĂĽhburg, Boddin, Altkalen, Behren-LĂĽbchin, Walkendorf
See the overview of the wider area: Amt Gnoien.
