Discover Gielow

Gielow brings together several historical themes in a compact setting: the village church houses the local history room, the Gielow Mill has a literary connection, and in Liepen, the castle and manor house tell of a changing past. There are also specific outdoor options to consider when planning your trip—a cycling tour to the mill and a circular walk in the park at Liepen Water Castle.

Village Church, Local History Room and Kitchen Garden

The Gielow local history room is located in the village church and displays equipment and tools from the early 20th century. This rural everyday history sits alongside the distinctive features of the church interior: the village church has a distinctive altar in front of a pointed-arch window and an organ dating from 1828. The pointed arch adds an architectural accent, while the organ’s date provides another point of reference. The local history room also includes a kitchen garden with historic plants and herbs. Together, the exhibition, church architecture and garden offer different perspectives on Gielow’s cultural heritage.

The Gielow Mill and Its History

Of the four historic mills in the Ostpeene Nature Reserve, the Gielow Mill is the only one that still exists. It also plays an important role in Fritz Reuter’s novel “Ut de Franzosentid.” The mill brings together two different perspectives: it is a surviving testament to the history of milling and part of a literary story. Visitors interested in Fritz Reuter will find a tangible connection to one of his novels here; those focusing on the historic building can compare it with the history of the four mills.

Liepen: Water Castle, Manor House and Holiday Apartments

Liepen Water Castle was built in the 14th century as a castle complex alongside the Liepen estate. After the Thirty Years’ War, it lost its importance as a defensive structure and fell into ruin, with only the vaulted cellar remaining. A Baroque manor house was built on this cellar in 1700. This sequence shows how the site changed over time: the medieval castle complex was followed by the loss of its defensive function and, later, the manor house. A circular walk through the landscaped grounds leads through the park at Liepen Water Castle; local access arrangements may vary.

Liepen Water Castle has four holiday apartments. As availability may change, check for your travel dates. Bitter liqueur tastings with a guided tour are offered in the vaulted cellar by prior appointment. If you plan to take part, make arrangements before your visit.

Cycling Tour and Getting Around

The “Stavenhagen and Fritz Reuter” cycling tour leads to the Gielow Mill and crosses the Ostpeene there. The route thus links a specific itinerary with a place that is significant both to the history of milling and to Fritz Reuter’s novel. For a different way to experience the landscaped grounds, a circular walk leads through the park at Liepen Water Castle. The two options differ mainly in their setting: a cycling tour to the mill and a circular walk in the park.

Gielow lies about 6 km south of the town of Malchin and can be reached via the Malchin–Waren country road. This helps you choose where to stay without assuming a particular journey time. If you are considering Gielow as a base for your trip, you can prioritize the cultural sites, cycling tour and circular walk according to the topics that matter most to you.

Exploring Nature Further Afield

If your trip extends beyond Gielow, it is worth taking a separate look at the wider Mecklenburg Lake District destination. The Müritz National Park is characterized by forests, marshes, lakes and extensive meadows. Its hiking trail explores this landscape over nine stages, passing lakes, ancient forests and inland dunes, and reaching the source of the Havel. Certified nature and landscape guides offer informative tours there, including guided visits to the UNESCO World Heritage beech forest at Serrahn and tours from the water. These nature experiences are part of the wider Mecklenburg Lake District destination and should be distinguished from the cultural sites and routes described in Gielow.

Discover more destinations: Neukalen, Malchin, Duckow, Basedow, Gorschendorf, Kummerow, Faulenrost.

View the wider travel overview: Amt Malchin Am Kummerower See.