Parchim – Churches, City Wall and Wockersee

When looking for a hotel in Parchim, you can plan your stay around whether you mainly want to explore the city’s history or spend time at Wockersee. Churches, historic buildings and activities around the lake give the town a range of different focal points. You can also factor train travel and seasonal guided city tours into your plans.

Churches, City Wall and City History

St. Mary’s Church is the oldest building still standing in Parchim today. St. George’s is considered a church of regional importance because of its historical, architectural and art-historical significance. The two churches represent different aspects of Parchim’s history and architectural heritage.

The Fangelturm was built in 1360 as part of a landwehr, a defensive earthwork protecting the outer approaches to the city. Today, it is the only tower of its kind in Mecklenburg and one of the oldest buildings in the state. On Am Wallhotel street, you can see a very well-preserved section of Parchim’s city wall. Today, you can experience the ramparts as an urban park; they cover about 4.4 hectares. This makes it possible to see historic buildings and green space as distinct aspects of the cityscape.

The Museum Parchim’s permanent exhibition in the Kulturmühle presents the city’s history from its beginnings to the present day. Its timeline therefore extends far beyond individual buildings. If you want to focus on the city’s development during your visit, the museum complements your impressions of the churches, Fangelturm and city wall with a coherent account of its history.

Wockersee and Wockertal

Wockersee lies on the northern edge of Parchim and covers 62 hectares. It is suitable for hiking, swimming and boating. The Wockertal nature conservation area adjoins the lake directly. Eichberg is a starting point for walking around Wockersee. The same lakeshore therefore offers several different options: time on the water, exercise on foot and a starting point for a walk around the lake.

The Eisvogellehrpfad nature trail is located in Wockertal, by the Unterer Voigtsdorfer Teich. It is about 1,100 metres long and has nine stations. Its approximate length and number of stations give you a concrete idea of what to expect if you want to include an educational trail in your day’s plans alongside activities at Wockersee.

There is a canoe rental station at Fischerdamm, described as very easy to reach and offering a direct link between the town and nature. Check availability with the operator before your trip. This lets you plan an activity on the water without conflating it with the options for swimming or hiking.

Guided City Tours and Getting There

General public city tours are offered on request during the summer months by Heimatbund Parchim e.V.; they have been offered since 1997. Public guided tours also include walks focusing on medieval Parchim and the history of Parchim’s dragoons. If you are interested in a guided introduction to the city, bear in mind that tours are seasonal and arranged on request.

To travel by train, first take Deutsche Bahn to Ludwigslust or Schwerin, then continue to Parchim with ODEG. From Parchim station, it takes about ten minutes to walk to the city centre; alternatively, you can continue by taxi or bus. The walking time is approximate. Check current train connections and timetables before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Amt Stralendorf, Goldenstädt, Amt Hagenow-Land, Boizenburg/Elbe, Amt Neustadt-Glewe, Amt Plau Am See, Amt Grabow, Ludwigslust.

Back to the main travel overview: Ludwigslust-Parchim.