Discover Barnekow

If you are looking for historical connections to a place during your stay, Barnekow offers several topics that can be clearly dated. The first documentary mention dates back to 1230; other topics include the period of the Plessen knights’ castle, the history of the estate and changes at former sites. These layers are separated by long stretches of time and offer different perspectives on the place: political history, agricultural use, and changes to buildings and land.

Local history from the castle era to upheaval

Barnekow was first mentioned in a document in 1230. From 1359 until around 1600, the Plessen knights were based here in a castle. A presumed twin castle is represented by a double mound that can still be seen today. The Plessen castle era is limited to a specific period; by contrast, the interpretation as a twin castle remains explicitly a supposition.

During the Thirty Years’ War, Barnekow was plundered repeatedly and almost completely destroyed in March 1718. A tenant farm known as “Außenland” was established in Barnekow as early as 1717. The farm’s establishment and the destruction during the war were therefore only a year apart, but they mark different historical topics.

Estate history and historic sites

The von Ladiges family owned the estate from 1789 to 1864; from 1888 to 1945, it belonged to the von Behr-Negendanck family. The former manor house was demolished by blasting in 1989; a green space was created on its site. After the old smithy was demolished in 1987–1988, a building containing a restaurant was erected in its place.

An English oak in Barnekow is designated a natural monument under the district ordinance of 5 May 2021. If you would like to see it in person, check access beforehand.

Parish and brick architecture

Barnekow belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Gressow-Friedrichshagen, which includes the churches in Gressow and Friedrichshagen.

One typical brick church in the parish is considered to date, in its present form, from the mid-14th century. One church in the parish is distinguished by furnishings from the 18th century and a Winzer organ.

Cycling route and countryside in Northwest Mecklenburg

A 5.8-kilometre cycling route connects Barnekow with Wismar. Before setting out, check the current completion status and route conditions.

In the wider destination of Northwest Mecklenburg, the “Northwest Mecklenburg Hills with Wismar Bay” landscape area lies in the north, while the “West Mecklenburg Lake District with Lake Schwerin” lies in the south. The district’s landscape is shaped by terminal moraine ridges, gently undulating ground moraine plateaus, sections of steep and gently sloping coastline, meltwater and drainage channels, and outwash plains.

The wider destination also includes the architectural history of Gadebusch Castle, a Renaissance castle dating from 1573 in Gadebusch. It is considered a rare example of Mecklenburg or North German Brick Renaissance; its features include reliefs in the regional Johann Albrecht style.

Discover more destinations: Bad Kleinen, Ventschow, Lübow, Bobitz, Hohen Viecheln, Metelsdorf, Groß Stieten

Back to the wider travel overview: Amt Dorf Mecklenburg-Bad Kleinen.