Werneuchen: Blacksmithing History, Mausoleum and Trails

Werneuchen offers a range of options for planning your trip: historic buildings and cultural sites, bathing spots and trails. These topics vary in character and scope. You can plan your stay around whether you are more interested in local history, a day by the water or a longer hike.

Cultural History in Werneuchen

The listed Old Smithy probably began operating around 1624. It was used primarily for shoeing horses and is now a small cultural venue. So this is not just a place focused on a historic craft: it connects its former use as a smithy with a present-day cultural role.

The Petitjean family mausoleum is in the churchyard west of the Protestant church, opposite the main entrance. The building was constructed in the early 19th century in the Neoclassical style. It commemorates the operator of Werneuchen’s post and relay station. In its time, this station was one of the largest of its kind in the Brandenburg part of Prussia. The mausoleum’s location, architectural style and commemorative purpose each give it a distinct connection to local history.

Another historical site is the former manor house at Berliner Allee 9 on the B158. It was completed in 1914. Its exterior was restored around 2012; the building is privately owned and remains vacant. Its history can therefore be understood through its exterior appearance and the documented key dates.

Bathing Spots and Trails

In Löhme, a district of Werneuchen, a circular trail runs around Löhmer Haussee. There are three natural bathing spots, one of which charges an entrance fee, as well as two separate bathing spots for dogs. If you are planning time by the water, it is useful to distinguish between the natural bathing spots and the designated dog bathing spots; also note that one of the three natural bathing spots charges an entrance fee.

For a longer hike, the Werneuchen–Bernau Way of St. James starts in Werneuchen. It is about 17 kilometres long, with a walking time of approximately five to six hours. This approximate time helps with planning your day, without treating the hike as equivalent to a visit to Haussee: these are different ways to focus your trip. Werneuchen can be reached directly from Berlin in about 30 minutes on regional express train RB25 from Ostkreuz station. Check the current timetable before travelling, as journey times and services may change.

Regional Perspectives in Barnim

The wider travel destination of Barnim also offers cultural and industrial history. Chorin Abbey is a landmark of North German Brick Gothic architecture. Niederfinow Boat Lift is Germany’s oldest working boat lift. The Finow Canal also has a distinctive historical status: it is considered Germany’s oldest artificial waterway that is still navigable. Lake cruises are offered on Werbellinsee, and canoe trips are possible on the Finow Canal. These examples give the region its own cultural and water-related themes.

There are also different scales to consider for cycling and hiking. The district of Barnim has a total of 610 kilometres of cycle routes; cycling in Barnim Nature Park is an activity for visitors to the district. The “Around Schorfheide” circular hiking trail is 143 kilometres long and runs through Barnim Nature Park. These two distances refer to different offerings: the district-wide cycle route network and a named circular hiking trail. Barnim’s many bathing lakes offer opportunities for recreation. The Eiszeitland am Oderrand Geopark extends across the districts of Uckermark and Barnim in northeastern Brandenburg. The regional picture therefore includes not only individual cultural sites but also landscape, cycling and water-related themes.

Discover more destinations: Chorin, Schorfheide, Althüttendorf, Friedrichswalde, Parsteinsee, Hohenfinow, Breydin, Oderberg

Back to the regional travel overview: Barnim.