Wulkow comprises Großwulkow and Kleinwulkow—two districts, each with a Romanesque brick village church and distinct cultural and historical features. Großwulkow combines an early documentary mention with Romanesque furnishings; Kleinwulkow stands out for its Baroque and Art Nouveau paintings. When planning your visit, you can choose your focus based on whether you are most interested in architectural and object history or in the interplay of several artistic periods.
Großwulkow: Architectural History and Romanesque Furnishings
The village church in Großwulkow was first mentioned in a document issued by Archbishop Wichmann of Magdeburg in 1172. This date marks the first written mention, not necessarily the date when the church was built. Architecturally, the church was built in the round-arched style of Romanesque brick architecture, also used at Jerichow Monastery. The church houses a Romanesque triumphal cross dating from around 1160. It also has an original, well-preserved Romanesque baptismal font from the 12th century. A Romanesque bell cast around 1200 hangs in the tower; it is not visible to visitors.
Kleinwulkow: Paintings from Several Periods
The village church in Kleinwulkow is the smallest of the Romanesque brick village churches in the Katten-Winkel. Its interior features original Baroque paintings, centered on a baptismal angel. There are also Art Nouveau paintings on the walls and ceiling. This makes it easy to distinguish the different artistic layers: the Romanesque classification describes the brick building, while Baroque and Art Nouveau refer to the paintings. Visitors who enjoy exploring art history through specific details will find a different focus here than in Großwulkow: the emphasis is not on the first documentary mention and Romanesque furnishings, but on the church interior’s design in different styles.
Local History Beyond the Churches
Wulkow’s history extends beyond its village churches. A Late Bronze Age burial mound cemetery in Großwulkow points to the area’s early settlement history. The missionary Johann Andreas Wernicke came from Kleinwulkow and was among the first to set out for India in 1838 as part of the Berlin Gossner Mission. These topics cover very different time scales: the burial mound cemetery takes you back to prehistory, while Wernicke’s departure belongs to the missionary history of the 19th century. Together with the medieval church facts, they create a broader historical arc—from early settlement and Romanesque architecture and art to a figure from local history.
Guided Tours and Group Programs
The Wulkow–Wust parish offers history tours of six churches. For groups of ten or more, the history circle and puppet theater in the parish can also organize a day exploring the Romanesque Route in the region. The program includes visits, talks, puppet shows, lunch, and afternoon coffee. This group format combines church visits with interpretation and shared meals. If you would like to include it in your plans, confirm the current arrangements in advance with the history circle and puppet theater in the Wulkow–Wust parish.
Discover more destinations: Roßdorf, Karow.
View the regional travel overview: Jerichow.
