Retschow: Village Church, Historic Farmstead and Quellental

Retschow combines village history with themes of agriculture and local heritage; at the same time, the municipality’s open countryside and the Quellental nature reserve invite visitors to go hiking. Those looking for hotels in Retschow can plan their stay around whether cultural history or time in nature is their priority. Local points of interest for a range of travel interests extend from the village church, first mentioned in 1233, to Quellental, a hiking destination.

Village Church and Historic Farmstead

The village church in Retschow was first mentioned in 1233. It contains a depiction of a mill which, according to the municipality, is unique among village churches in Germany. These two details link a historical date to a striking motif in the church.

The historic farmstead on Dorfstraße is a complex comprising a residential house, barn and cottage. It houses a local history museum with exhibitions on farming and domestic life, as well as local history. Visitors can see old sledges, threshing machines, horse harnesses and other agricultural equipment. The exhibition offers thematic insights into rural life alongside specific objects from farming. While the church is characterized by its historical mention and mill motif, the historic farmstead brings several exhibition themes and pieces of equipment to the fore.

Legend and Horse Breeding

A monument to the “black rooster” stands in the village centre. According to legend, in 1729 the rooster’s crowing alerted people to a fire just as it was starting. The monument connects a place in the village with a story whose central motif is the rooster’s warning call. In the district of Stülow, a small museum in an equestrian centre is dedicated to the tradition of Mecklenburg horse breeding. The dates play different roles: 1233 marks the church’s first mention, while 1729 belongs to the legend of the black rooster. This places a cultural-historical reference to the church alongside a local legend, without confusing the legend with the church’s history.

Moorland and Hiking Destinations

The municipality’s open countryside invites visitors to go hiking and cycling. Its moorland is home to protected plants and is considered an interesting destination for nature lovers. The specifically named hiking destination, the “Quellental” nature reserve, lies in the municipality of Retschow, northeast of the art centre of Glashagen. Those looking to pinpoint a hike can choose Quellental, a named destination; cycling is mentioned as an activity in the municipality’s open countryside. The reserve’s protected status and protected plants also give the nature theme a distinct focus alongside recreational activities.

Art and Events

The Glashagen art centre offers open studios and annual events featuring artists from a range of disciplines. In Glashagen-Ausbau, the annual artists’ festivals draw hundreds of visitors to the village. When planning, you can distinguish between the offerings at the Glashagen art centre and the festivals in Glashagen-Ausbau. If you would like to plan your stay around an artists’ festival, check the specific date in advance: the annual schedule alone does not determine the day you should visit.

Discover more destinations: Nienhagen, Hohenfelde, Heiligendamm, Börgerende-Rethwisch, Steffenshagen, Reddelich, Wittenbeck, Bartenshagen-Parkentin.

For the overall travel guide: Amt Bad Doberan-Land.