St. Andrew’s Church in Kuddewörde offers a tangible way to explore the town’s history: the building was constructed around 1500 from fieldstone and brick. For travel planning, this local cultural landmark can be set in a broader context: the Duchy of Lauenburg also offers landscapes of forests and lakes, as well as the history of historic mills.

St. Andrew’s Church and its furnishings

The interior brings together works of art from several centuries. These include returned medieval carved figures, a crucifix dating from around 1500, figures of the Apostles and a Last Supper painting from the late 17th century, as well as a Madonna and Child from the 18th century. The dates make the gap in time between the building’s construction and later furnishings tangible: the crucifix dates from roughly the same period as the building, while other works come from the following centuries.

Fieldstone and brick define the building; the furnishings add their own span of time to this historical reference point. Those interested in church architecture and religious art can distinguish between two aspects: the building’s construction around 1500 and the different dates of the works in the interior.

Forests, lakes and trails in the Duchy of Lauenburg

In the District of the Duchy of Lauenburg, 26 percent of the area is forest; the district also includes 48 lakes. It is also home to the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest in Schleswig-Holstein. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the duchy. Its area, approximately 35 by 17 kilometres, provides habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species.

Activities in the nature park include hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in forest lakes. For orientation, there are hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest; there are also four signposted cycling routes. At Lake Mechow, an observation tower offers a place to watch waterfowl. With a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle there.

For a cycling trip in the duchy, the Lake Cycling Tour is a specific option: it starts in Ratzeburg and runs as a circular route of approximately 40 kilometres through the nature park. The European long-distance hiking trails E1, E6 and E9 are different: they run from north to south through the duchy via Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. Guided excursions in the nature park, led by experts, focus on the district’s wildlife, plant life and cultural history. Check the relevant programme for a specific date.

Milling history in the Duchy of Lauenburg

The Grander Mill in the Duchy of Lauenburg is a historic water-powered grain mill first documented in 1248. Its surviving features include a weir, an old mill wheel and millstones. The mill was restored in the 1980s and listed as a historic monument. It therefore brings together technical evidence of milling history and a later restoration.

The Grander Mill also combines its historic character with dining facilities. These include small, rustic dining rooms with clay-plastered walls, old paving, milling equipment, and historic prints and pictures. Dining details and availability may change; check current options before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Lauenburg/Elbe, Breitenfelde, Krukow, Berkenthin, Müssen, Schwarzenbek-Land, Römnitz, Wentorf Bei Hamburg

For the main travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.