Discover Travenbrück: Monastery, Travetal and history

Travenbrück brings together nature and culture: the Travetal shapes the landscape, St. Ansgar Monastery in Nütschau is a major attraction, and several historic buildings add to the character of the area. When planning your trip, it depends on what you would like to focus on: architectural history, a hike or a canoe trip on the Trave. The options also differ in practical planning—from a marked footpath to canoe hire with delivery to the launch point.

St. Ansgar Monastery in Nütschau

The area around St. Ansgar Monastery in Nütschau is a major attraction in Travenbrück. The monastery is housed in a 450-year-old manor house. Nütschau Manor House was built in 1577 and is considered the oldest surviving manor house in Stormarn; it is also a surviving Renaissance building with three gables. Thus, the long history of the house and its architectural significance sit alongside the monastery’s present-day educational role.

The monastery is home to the Benedictine order and offers education for young people and adults on behalf of the Catholic Church. Accommodation is available there for pilgrims. If you are considering staying there, confirm availability before your trip.

Manor houses and other historic sites

There are historic attractions outside Nütschau, too. The Kupfermühle in Sühlen is a half-timbered house and one of the local sights. Other attractions include the Nütschau watermill and the Nütschau hillfort, as well as Tralau Castle and the manor house in Neverstaven.

The Tralauer Madonna has a special historical connection: the oak figure belonged to the chapel at Tralau Castle. The chapel is documented as early as 1374. This date refers to the chapel; it does not date the Madonna itself. These different sites provide concrete points of interest if you are especially interested in architectural history, historic buildings or religious art during your trip.

Travetal, hiking and getting around

Formed during the Ice Age, the Travetal shapes Travenbrück’s landscape and is widely used for recreation. If you would like to walk to the monastery, you can plan a scenic route of around five kilometres from Bad Oldesloe railway station to Nütschau Monastery. The route passes through Brenner Moor and is marked as a pilgrimage path. Trail conditions may change with the seasons, so check them before setting out.

The Peace Bridge is also a useful landmark: it connects the parts of the town that are separated by the Trave. This makes the Trave tangible not only as a natural landscape but also as a defining feature for finding your way around the area. You can therefore choose between different kinds of outings: a hike to the monastery or a walk that takes in how the river divides the town.

Canoe trip and getting there

You can hire canoes on the Trave near Travenbrück/Schlamersdorf. Canoe equipment is included; the canoe is delivered to your chosen launch point and collected at the take-out point. Unlike the hike, whose route runs from Bad Oldesloe railway station to the monastery, a canoe trip requires you to plan your chosen launch point and collection point at the end of the route. This helps you compare the two activities based on their routes.

By car, you can reach Nütschau Monastery via exit 16 on the A21, Bad Oldesloe-Nord/Tralau/Kloster Nütschau. Check current conditions for your route before travelling. Whether you plan your stay around the monastery and historic buildings, the marked hiking trail or canoe hire, the destinations and activities listed here offer practical ways to plan your time in Travenbrück around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Glinde, Tangstedt, Bad Oldesloe, Köthel, Bargfeld-Stegen, Klein Wesenberg, Stapelfeld, Hamfelde.

Back to the main travel overview: Stormarn.