Discover Kowalz: Manor House, Park and Beet Railway

Kowalz brings together various traces of local and architectural history with a landscaped park and cycling-related themes. A full-mile obelisk recalls the old B 110; the manor house and park tell of further historical layers. The former beet railway line and tours that pass through Kowalz also offer starting points for planning your trip. You can tailor your stay to whether you mainly want to explore historic buildings, landscapes or cycling routes.

Cultural Heritage in Kowalz

At the junction of the old B 110 in Kowalz stands a milestone, a full-mile obelisk. The Rostock district monument register dated 14 May 2024 also lists the main building of the former machine tractor station at Hauptstraße 24 as a monument. Kowalz therefore has two very different landmarks: the milestone, linked to road transport, and a building that recalls the former machine tractor station.

Kowalz Manor House was originally built as a half-timbered building, probably at the beginning of the 18th century. One biographical connection dates to 1854: the writer Margarete von Oertzen, née von Plüskow, was born in the manor house.

South of Kowalz, between the village and Nustrow, a ruined but noteworthy megalithic tomb lies in a field. It can be identified by a lone tree. As the tomb is in a field, check access before visiting. The site adds an archaeological theme to the area’s architectural and transport history; this theme also features on a cycling tour through Kowalz.

Landscaped Park and Village Church

Kowalz’s landscaped park includes a magnificent lime tree avenue and a small pond, and is protected as a historic monument. This combination of park design and protected heritage gives it a different character from the milestone or manor house: here, the designed landscape takes centre stage. It is a distinct focus to consider when choosing between cultural themes, alongside historic buildings and the history of transport routes.

The village church in Thelkow offers another architectural story. It is a fieldstone building dating from the mid-13th century, constructed approximately between 1260 and 1280 from fieldstone and, in part, brick. Its richly articulated south portal is worth seeing. The approximate date places the church in the medieval period, while the portal draws attention to a specific architectural detail. The area thus brings together different architectural styles and periods, from a medieval church to the manor house’s half-timbered construction.

Beet Railway Line and Cycling Tours

The former beet railway is also of interest to cyclists. Part of the old line has been converted into a cycle path. At one point where the former beet railway line passes, the junction to the former Kowalz loading point was located. The present-day cycle path thus points to the line’s historic use and a specific part of its former infrastructure.

From Kowalz, a cycling tour can continue along the old beet railway path through Sophienhof to Vilz. Another option is the “Megalithic Tombs and Slavic Hillforts” tour, which passes through Kowalz. The two descriptions have different emphases: the old railway path links route planning with the history of the line and a stated continuation to Vilz; the themed route brings together archaeological and Slavic hillfort themes in its name and course. So if you are planning a cycling tour as part of your trip, you can start by choosing the theme that interests you. Regardless, the megalithic tomb is in a field, and access should be checked before visiting.

You can plan your trip around the places and themes you actually want to visit or explore.

Discover more destinations: Amt Laage, Amt Neubukow-Salzhaff, Warnemünde, Evershagen, Kröpelin, Neubukow, Rostock, Amt Bützow-Land

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