Elisabeth Church gives Brunstorf a tangible historical landmark. The present-day building was constructed in 1777 and is considered the oldest church in the surrounding area. Unworked fieldstones from the predecessor building are visible in the north wall. The first church was probably built around 1250; its first written mention dates from 1319. This makes it possible to distinguish, at the same site, the construction date of the present building from much older traces of the church’s history.
Elisabeth Church: Building History and Interior
The interior furnishings also bring together different eras. A barrel vault is supported by ten wooden columns and painted with a starry sky. Other features include a 16th-century Anna Selbdritt figure, as well as Late Gothic figures of Saints Peter and John. Anyone interested in architectural history and religious art will find more than a single historical reference here: the building’s form, paintings and figures can each be appreciated in their own right.
You can enquire about guided tours of Elisabeth Church through the parish office. The parish also strives to keep the building open regularly in summer. Check current access arrangements before your visit so you can plan your tour accordingly.
Nature and Outdoor Activities in the Duchy of Lauenburg
The Duchy of Lauenburg offers a distinctive regional setting for exploring nature and landscapes. Forests cover 26 percent of the district, which is home to 48 lakes. The district also includes the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous woodland in Schleswig-Holstein. The duchy’s natural landscape also features gentle hills, open fields, avenues of trees, wetlands and moors. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the duchy.
The nature park is about 35 by 17 kilometres in size and provides a habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species. Activities mentioned there include hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in forest lakes. Hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and rest areas add to what is on offer; the nature park was established as a protected area for visitors to experience in 1960. Guided excursions with experts focus on the district’s wildlife, plants and cultural history. Check individual dates in advance.
Several regional routes are described for cycling trips. The three-star Alte Salzstraße long-distance cycle route runs from Lüneburg to Lübeck through the Duchy of Lauenburg, following the historic salt-trading corridor. Its section from Lauenburg to Lübeck runs along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. Those who prefer to travel on foot can follow the E1, E6 and E9 long-distance hiking trails: they cross the duchy from north to south via Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. The information clearly distinguishes cycling routes from long-distance hiking trails without conflating them.
There are also regional options on the water. A canoe trip can run from Lake Schaalsee via the Lauenburg lakes and the Wakenitz to LĂĽbeck; local restrictions on water access may vary. The observation tower at Lake Mechow is intended for watching waterbirds. With a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle there. These examples offer different ways to experience the region: a route on the water, a potential wildlife-watching spot and trails for longer trips.
Cultural Attractions in the Duchy of Lauenburg
Several distinct themes are of interest to culture lovers in the Duchy of Lauenburg. Kultursommer am Kanal is a four-week cultural festival held every summer. Check that year’s programme when planning your trip. In Lauenburg/Elbe, the Elbe Shipping Museum presents the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Mensch-Modell-Maschine” about shipping. Visitors can take part themselves at the models and experimental stations.
The Duchy of Lauenburg District Museum in Ratzeburg has a different focus: its themes include the history of the Dukes of Lauenburg and the inner German border. Together with Elisabeth Church in Brunstorf, these sites offer a range of historical perspectives for planning a trip—from a single church building to regional cultural and contemporary history.
Discover more destinations: Gudow, Elmenhorst, Behlendorf, Hollenbek, Ratzeburg, Alt Mölln, Breitenfelde, Schulendorf.
Back to the overall travel guide: Duchy of Lauenburg.
