Himmelpfort: Monastery History, Herbs and Waterways
Accommodation in Himmelpfort
Himmelpfort combines monastery history with a natural landscape shaped by waterways. Four bodies of water surround the town. Fishing, swimming and boating are possible on four lakes as well as on the Havel and the Woblitz. Himmelpfort lies in the heart of the Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park. The Glass Manufactory of the Himmelpfort Chocolate Factory and the monastery herb garden also offer places to visit. This means there is plenty to explore during a stay, from activities on the water to culture and gardens.
Monastery History and Herb Garden
The Cistercian monastery of Himmelpfort was founded in 1299. The founding year provides a clear point of reference in the monastery’s history. At the Himmelpfort Monastery Herb Garden, you can see more than 250 medicinal, culinary and aromatic herbs. Paid guided tours of the garden are available for groups of at least four people by prior arrangement. If you plan to take a tour, make sure your group meets the minimum size, book in advance and check the fees beforehand. You can also visit the Glass Manufactory of the Himmelpfort Chocolate Factory.
Christmas Room and Advent Season
Large Christmas markets are held in Himmelpfort on every Advent weekend, in the square between the visitor centre and the monastery church. Dates and programmes may vary from year to year, so check the information for your chosen Advent season before travelling. Letters to Santa can be posted at any time of year in either of two mailboxes: the red mailbox in front of the Christmas Room or the wooden mailbox on KlosterstraĂźe. The markets are held during Advent, while the mailboxes are available year-round for posting letters.
Nature and Cycling
Within the Kleine Schorfheide-Havel Special Area of Conservation, parts of Himmelpfort/Bredereiche provide habitat for sandy heathland, silver grass swards and dry grassland at various stages of succession. These named habitats add a specific nature-related aspect to the waterways. Himmelpfort is also connected to the Berlin–Copenhagen long-distance cycle route. The route offers another way to plan your trip, whether your focus is cycling, monastery history or the waterways.
Lock and Waterways
Himmelpfort Lock is a self-service lock that adjusts the water level to that of Lake Stolpsee. Since operating details may change, check the latest information before your visit if the lock is important to your plans. Information about the lock adds a practical point of reference on the water to the opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating.
Plan Your Journey
Bus routes 839 and 854 serve Himmelpfort. There is also a connection to the RE5 regional express train via FĂĽrstenberg/Havel station. If you plan to travel by bus or train, check the timetables for your travel date. This will help you factor the bus routes and the connection via the station into your plans.
FĂĽrstenberg/Havel
In the wider destination of Fürstenberg/Havel, the Gänse, Priester and Schulhavel waterways are navigable throughout via the fish canoe pass. An easy, 2.3-kilometre canoe circuit around Fürstenberg/Havel’s old town takes about an hour. The approximate duration and route length provide a concrete time frame for this circuit.
View the wider travel guide: FĂĽrstenberg/Havel.
