Discover Walkendorf: Folklore, Mills and Starry Skies
Accommodation in Walkendorf
Walkendorf is best known for the Richard Wossidlo House and the historic architecture of the Alte Ausspanne. Other attractions are found elsewhere in the municipality: historic windmills in Neu Vorwerk, parkland and stargazing in Dalwitz, and holiday apartments in LĂĽhburg. When choosing your accommodation, check whether a destination is in Walkendorf itself or in another part of the municipality.
Folklore and Architectural Heritage
The Richard Wossidlo House in Walkendorf is dedicated to the folklorist Richard Wossidlo. The museum is housed in a rural workers’ cottage built around 1875. Its biographical connection extends to Friedrichshof, a district of the municipality of Walkendorf: Wossidlo was born there and baptised in the local church. The museum’s dedication is therefore linked to a specific place in the municipality, while Friedrichshof remains identified as a district in its own right.
Another striking feature of the town’s history is the Alte Ausspanne, a listed half-timbered house with a thatched roof, lovingly restored. In summer, the Alte Ausspanne’s café sits in the shade of an old lime tree behind the building. The 4,600-square-metre meadow garden includes benches, places to lie down, a herb spiral and a pond. These features give the garden a character distinct from that of the historic house: both its spacious grounds and individual details, from the water to the herb spiral, take centre stage.
The Alte Ausspanne also has an extendable club room called the “Sommergalerie” (Summer Gallery), which hosts special art and cultural exhibitions. You can also take part in creative courses there. If you are interested in a particular course or exhibition, ask about current dates in advance.
Mills and Park History in the Municipality
Two Dutch-style windmills stand close together in Neu Vorwerk and, as a technical monument, they jointly form a landmark of the state. The smaller mill was built in 1849 as a ground-sail windmill. The larger is a gallery windmill, built in 1949; it is considered Germany’s last newly built windmill for commercial milling. Their different designs and construction dates make it easy to compare the two mills, while keeping in view their shared role as twin mills.
The Gutspark Dalwitz brings together further historical and landscape features. It is home to a replica of the famous Nebra Sky Disc, as well as a monument to Sabine von Bassewitz (1716–1790). An old lime-tree avenue on the castle rampart completes the park. The park thus combines a representation of the Sky Disc with a monument dedicated to a named individual and a distinctive avenue.
Starry Skies and Summertime Experiences
The Dalwitz Astronomical Observatory is also located in the municipality of Walkendorf. It is one of six themed stations on the “De Sternkieker” astronomy trail in the Mecklenburger ParkLand Star Park. At the station, visitors can lie on a lounger for two and observe the night sky with binoculars or a telescope. If you are planning this experience, check in advance whether the equipment is available.
LĂĽhburg Manor House lies on the edge of the Mecklenburg Switzerland, surrounded by old lime trees and a romantic moat; in the Mecklenburger ParkLand, it feels like an island. Schloss LĂĽhburg offers twelve individually furnished holiday apartments of various sizes.
For a refreshing dip in summer, the bathing lake in the town is another option. Alongside cultural history, mills and stargazing, you can therefore choose a seasonal nature experience and a specific holiday-apartment option.
Discover more destinations: Finkenthal, Boddin, LĂĽhburg, Altkalen, Behren-LĂĽbchin.
Go to the overview of the wider area: Amt Gnoien.
