Wulkow: Churches and Local History

Wulkow comprises the districts of Großwulkow and Kleinwulkow. The two village churches have distinct highlights: in Großwulkow, a Romanesque brick building and historical furnishings come together; in Kleinwulkow, a Romanesque church is complemented by paintings from different periods. There are also traces of early settlement and the story of a missionary from Kleinwulkow. This gives you several cultural and historical themes to explore as you plan your stay.

Großwulkow: Brick Architecture and Romanesque Furnishings

The village church in Großwulkow was built in the round-arched style of Romanesque brick architecture, also used at Jerichow Monastery. It was first mentioned in a document in 1172, in a charter issued by Archbishop Wichmann of Magdeburg. The date marks the first documentary mention, not necessarily the start of construction.

The furnishings also have their own dates: the church contains a Romanesque triumphal cross from around 1160 and an original Romanesque baptismal font from the 12th century. The tower also houses a Romanesque bell cast around 1200, which is not visible to visitors. The dates vary in precision: the cross and bell are dated approximately, while the baptismal font is assigned to a century. The triumphal cross is approximately a decade older than the village church’s first documentary mention.

Kleinwulkow: Paintings from Several Periods

The village church in Kleinwulkow is the smallest of the Romanesque brick village churches in the Katten-Winkel. Inside are original Baroque paintings, with a baptismal angel as their focal point. There are also Art Nouveau paintings on the walls and ceiling. Here, Romanesque refers to the architectural style, while Baroque and Art Nouveau describe the different styles of the paintings. Kleinwulkow therefore offers a different focus from Großwulkow, where Romanesque furnishings are particularly prominent.

More Traces of Local History

In Großwulkow, a Late Bronze Age burial mound cemetery points to the area’s early settlement history. It offers a look at a period much earlier than the village church’s first documentary mention. The missionary Johann Andreas Wernicke came from Kleinwulkow. He was among the first to set out for India in 1838 as part of the Berlin Mission Society’s mission. The burial mound cemetery and Wernicke’s life story therefore lead to two different themes: early settlement on the one hand, and a specific chapter of local history in the 19th century on the other.

Guided Tours and Group Program

Historical guided tours of six churches are offered in the Wulkow–Wust parish. The history group and puppet theater in the parish also offer a day on the Romanesque Road in the region, which can be arranged for groups of ten or more. The program combines sightseeing and talks with puppet theater, lunch, and an afternoon coffee reception. If you are planning this group offer, arrange the date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Karow, Roßdorf.

Return to the main travel overview: Jerichow.