The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, art along the canal and the history of horse-drawn towing offer different ways to discover Berkenthin. Cultural events and walking routes also provide further perspectives on the town.

Church and Historic Ensemble

The Church of St. Mary Magdalene was built around 1250 in a transitional Romanesque-Gothic style. The single-nave brick building stands on a fieldstone base and has a recessed box-shaped chancel. Special features of the historic church include medieval murals, an acanthus Baroque altar, a pulpit, a baptismal angel, a statue of Mary Magdalene and a west gallery.

Together with the canal, lock, Kirchsteig Bridge, rectory and Stecknitz boatmen’s burial ground, the church forms a cohesive historic ensemble. Its architecture and other traces of local history thus belong to a shared theme, even though they each have their own places and forms.

Art and Towing History Along the Canal

The large canal herring, a work of art beside the canal, stands right next to the lock. It is a landmark of Berkenthin and also the logo of the Stecknitz region. The bridge monument adds to the town’s art: the painter and sculptor Rolf Hackauf from Göldenitz created it in 1999 together with around 100 children and adults.

Today’s well-maintained path along the canal was once a towing path. The Berkenthin salt barge also brings the history of towing to life: it is a reconstruction of a medieval salt barge without its own propulsion, towed by ropes from the bank. The path and the barge show two sides of the same historic means of transport: the towing path on land and the pulling of a vessel from the bank.

From May to September, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the Stecknitz boatmen and obtain a “towing licence” on request. As this activity is seasonal and requires an enquiry, check availability before your trip.

Festivals, Culture and a Hike

The Stecknitz Festival takes place in the square right next to the lock. The festival features colourful market stalls, a food mile, children’s attractions, entertainment and musical performances. Check the dates before your trip if you would like to plan your stay around the festival.

The programme for the Culture Summer on the Canal ranges from “Plattdüütsch in de Kark” to exhibitions by the Monday Painters, open studios and a sculpture garden. Programme details may change from year to year. The cultural programme therefore offers a different selection from the festival, with its market stalls and musical performances.

Another opportunity to explore the surrounding area on foot is the one-day “Hike for the Soul” around Berkenthin. The church support association has organised it in early October each year since 2014. Check the specific date before your trip if this hike is important to your plans.

Routes and Getting Around

The 48-kilometre Stecknitz Tour starts and ends at the car park by the Berkenthin municipal office, right next to the canal bridge. It follows the Elbe-Lübeck Canal and passes through the idyllic countryside to the west. The circular route thus connects the canal area with a stretch farther west; its length and start and end points give you specific details to help plan your trip.

For minor bicycle repairs, there is a bike service station in Berkenthin at Am Schart 8a, by the pedestrian bridge over the canal. It offers self-service around the clock. Check that the equipment you need is available before setting out. Alongside historic attractions, this provides practical information for your journey.

Discover more destinations: Güster, Siebenbäumen, Mechow, Mölln, Mustin, Gudow, Breitenfelde, Schönberg.

For the regional travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.