Schmilau between village history and landscape

Schmilau between village history and landscape

Schmilau combines a distinctive village character with a landscape of forests, marshland and water. The village includes the district of Farchau; the surrounding area is shaped by the south shore of Ratzeburg Küchensee, the Schaalsee Canal and terrain formed during the Ice Age. This offers several specific points of interest when looking for a hotel in Schmilau: you can plan your stay around village history, traces of mills and the local landscape. The combination of these features makes Schmilau appealing to travelers who want to discover the character of a place as well as spend the night there.

Chapel and milling history

An approximately 800-year-old chapel stands in the village center. The Schmilau church is dated to the years 1210 to 1230. This means the village’s religious history reaches back to the Middle Ages. For anyone interested in the history of older settlements, these dates offer a specific point of reference for understanding Schmilau’s past.

The history of milling is especially tangible in Farchau, which belongs to Schmilau. A 16th-century paper mill has been preserved there in its original form and is listed as a historic monument. The Farchauer Mühle inn was built on the former site of a grain watermill. The 1925 hydroelectric power station is also listed as a historic monument. These examples illustrate different aspects of the area’s milling history: papermaking, the former use of the grain watermill and hydropower. Farchau is therefore a notable part of the village’s character for visitors interested in historic industrial and engineering buildings.

Railbike rides and regional produce

The former Kaiserbahn station in Schmilau offers another connection to transport history. It is still used for railbike rides operated by Erlebnisbahn Ratzeburg. This provides an opportunity to combine a visit to Schmilau with an activity, alongside exploring the village’s history and milling heritage. Since operating details may vary, it is advisable to check the latest information from Erlebnisbahn Ratzeburg when planning your visit.

Agricultural products associated with Schmilau include strawberries, raspberries, asparagus and potatoes. This selection adds a connection to agriculture and regional products to the picture of the area’s architectural and engineering history. Availability and sales channels may vary.

Herzogtum Lauenburg: the wider setting

The wider travel destination of Herzogtum Lauenburg offers further ways to explore the landscape and enjoy activities. The district of Herzogtum Lauenburg is 26 percent forested and includes 48 lakes. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the region. It offers hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest, and has been designated a protected area for visitors to enjoy since 1960.

Visitors to the nature park can hike, cycle, canoe and swim in its refreshing forest lakes; four cycling routes are signposted. The range of options extends from nature trails and observation towers to activities on land and water. The nature park is approximately 35 by 17 kilometers in size and provides a habitat for, among others, kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes. These nature and leisure activities are part of the wider travel destination of Herzogtum Lauenburg and complement the picture of Schmilau with a regional perspective.

Discover more destinations: Bäk

Return to the regional travel overview: Lauenburg Lakes.