Bützow: Brick Gothic, the Warnow and a miniature town

Bützow offers several distinct points of interest to consider when planning a trip: the Brick Gothic architecture of the collegiate church, historic buildings around the market square, the Warnow with seasonal boat trips, and the miniature town. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bützow, you can start by deciding whether the Old Town, a trip on the river or the park with its models will be the main focus of your stay. The places and activities below give you an overview.

Brick Gothic architecture and the Old Town

Bützow Collegiate Church dates back to the 13th century and is the city’s oldest building. It is a three-aisled hall church in the Brick Gothic style, a monument of national importance and part of the European Route of Brick Gothic. This building therefore brings together age, architecture and significance beyond the region. It is a striking landmark on your walk if you’re interested in Brick Gothic architecture.

Another chapter in Bützow’s architectural history can be seen at the Krumme Haus. It is one of the city’s oldest buildings and was built in the 15th century as part of the episcopal castle complex. The town hall, built in the Tudor Gothic style, stands in the Old Town market square. In front of it, the Goose Fountain commemorates the Goose War: a small-scale revolution by Bützow’s citizens against a magistrate’s decree banning geese from roaming freely in the city. The town hall and fountain thus link the market square with a distinctive episode in the city’s history.

Bützow Watermill adds to the picture of the city’s historic buildings, though with a different focus: it is a monument to 19th-century industrial architecture. The surviving complex stands to the left of Bützow Harbour, right beside the Warnow. The mill building and one of its two waterwheels have been preserved.

On foot, by bike and on the Warnow

Bützow’s attractions are easy to explore on foot from the city centre. At the old Bützow Harbour in the city centre, parking is free of charge with no time limit, and there are also two additional bus parking spaces. Since parking arrangements can change, it’s best to check them before you arrive. This will help you plan your arrival and decide whether you’d like to explore Bützow on foot from the centre.

From May to September, the electric motor vessel “Warnowlöper” is available for trips between Bützow and Schwaan. The route follows a stretch of the Warnow designated as the “Warnow Valley with Small Tributaries” Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and approved for gentle tourism. The May-to-September season is important for planning; check current sailing options in advance.

Cycling is another way to explore the region: most routes there are circular tours, some of which start in Bützow. Check the conditions on your chosen route before setting off. The Bützow Civic and Tourism Office arranges guided tours of the historic Old Town and the surrounding region, trips on the Warnow, visits to the miniature town, and boat and bike rentals. Confirm individual arrangements before your trip. The main difference between the options is their focus: a seasonal river trip, a guided visit or a circular bike tour.

Bützow Miniature Town

Bützow Miniature Town is set in a three-hectare park. Around 145 historic buildings from 1850 to 1900 are faithfully recreated there at a scale of 1:10. The number of models may change as the park develops. The grounds also include a wetland habitat, sculptures and an adventure playground; individual park facilities may also change.

A visit to the workshop offers a chance to see how the fine details of the replicas are recreated. Check whether this visit is available before your trip. The park offers a different focus from the buildings in the Old Town: here, the emphasis is on true-to-scale models and their reconstruction. When planning your stay in Bützow, you can combine these attractions with a walk around the Old Town or, during the season, a boat trip, without needing to follow a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Tarnow, Klein Belitz, Warnow, Baumgarten, Rühn, Jürgenshagen, Penzin, Bernitt

Go to the overview of the wider area: Bützow-Land Office.