Bad Schwartau: Schwartau Valley, spa park and history

Bad Schwartau is located in the Bay of Lübeck in the south of Schleswig-Holstein. The town offers something for all three interests—from the Schwartau lowlands to historic buildings.

Nature in the Schwartau Valley and spa park

The Schwartau lowlands and the adjacent beech forests offer a variety of natural experiences. In the Schwartau Valley, the landscape is shaped by wet meadows, willow scrub, alder woodland, and flowing and still waters. Most of the Schwartau Valley is part of the Natura 2000 network. The protected areas around Bad Schwartau are known for botanical and zoological rarities; early morning is especially recommended for birdwatching.

The spa park is laid out around the spa park lake. The Philosophenweg borders the park towards Mönchkamp Forest. The Riesebusch meadows, with the old Schwartau and a mosaic of near-natural landscape types, lie directly adjacent. Paths there offer opportunities for walking and observing nature. The town thus brings together a range of natural features: water, forest, meadows and open countryside.

Trails and nature experiences

The nature trail is 2.5 kilometres long and includes information and hands-on stations. These include a Green Classroom, a boardwalk, a picture-book station and a tree telephone. The Green Classroom is intended as a place where different generations can learn about local flora and fauna. The nature experience area also features information boards, tree-ring models, a bee wall and nesting boxes, as well as information about different habitat types.

Bad Schwartau’s parks, natural meadows and fields, flat trails and Pariner Berg are ideal for walking and exploring. If you want to cycle, you can combine bike hire with cycling routes through forests towards the Baltic coast and Holstein Switzerland. Check current trail conditions before setting out. The mini-golf course in the spa park is an outdoor activity for children; check availability and seasonal opening before your visit.

History of the spa town and its buildings

Schwartau was officially recognised as a spa town in 1913 and has been called Bad Schwartau ever since. The town’s history can also be read in its buildings. St. George’s Chapel, also known as the St. George leper chapel, is associated with a leper hospital dating from 1258; the hospital received a chapel in 1289. The High Gothic brick building has three pointed-arch windows on each side and a gabled roof. Today, the chapel is used for church services and small concerts. Check its current use before planning a visit.

The former district court stands on the market square. This listed building dates from 1909/1910 and is in the Neo-Renaissance style. The spa park is also home to the Pythagoraeder, a polished stainless-steel sculpture about 3.5 metres high. If you plan to visit the artwork specifically, check its location before your visit.

Another aspect of local history is represented by Schwartauer Werke: the company’s history in Bad Schwartau began in 1899. The company is also associated with the nickname “jam town.” Together with the history of the spa town and its buildings, this offers a range of historical topics to explore separately or side by side when planning your trip.

Plan your journey

Several direct bus routes run from Lübeck central bus station (ZOB) to Bad Schwartau. Check current routes and timetables before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Heringsdorf, Neustadt / Holstein, Eutin, Malente, Göhl, Gremersdorf, Scharbeutz, Altenkrempe.

Go to the overview of the wider region: Ostholstein.