Preetz: Cycling Route and Manor House History

In Preetz, a cycling route and a historic manor house landscape come together as two distinct travel interests. Route 3, “Kranichland,” passes through Oldendorf, Preetz and Schmedshagen; Gutshaus Preetz is a named stop. The route is about 39 kilometres long and rated moderate. If you are looking for an active focus for your stay, you can take this information into account when planning your day; if you are more interested in history and parkland, you will find other manor houses in Preetz and its districts to explore.

Cycling the “Kranichland” Route

The route follows the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, paved village and country roads, and both surfaced and unsurfaced cycle paths. Its description therefore covers different types of paths rather than a single, uniform surface throughout. To assess the route, consider its approximate length and rating as well as its course along roads and cycle paths. The stated distance of “about 39 kilometres” is an estimate; the route is classified as moderate.

The directions within the village are also specific: a cycle path alongside the road leads to Preetz. From there, Dorfstraße leads to Gutshaus Preetz after about 200 metres. The route and the manor house are also directly connected, as Gutshaus Preetz is named as a stop on Route 3. This makes the cycle route a travel attraction in its own right while also allowing you to include a cultural and historical site in your exploration of the route.

Gutshaus Preetz and its park

A medieval motte dating from around 1300 lies in Preetz Manor Park. The site thus combines parkland with a very early historical reference. Notable trees in the park include a tulip tree and three large plane trees. Alongside the motte, these specific features give the park a botanical dimension: one tree species and a group of three large trees are part of the described grounds.

Other traces of the past form part of the manor house ensemble. The former stables are part of this ensemble. In the northern part of the park, two graves commemorate members of the von Bohlen family; they date from 1856 and 1886. The dates refer to the two graves and mark different points in time. The motte, stables and graves each offer a distinct way to explore the cultural history of the manor house and park.

More manor houses in the municipality of Preetz

The districts of the municipality of Preetz also have their own manor house histories. In Krönnevitz, the Neoclassical manor house was built in the mid-19th century. It was once surrounded by extensive grounds, remnants of which remain. In Oldendorf, the restored manor house dates from the 18th century and was remodelled around 1900. The manor house in Schmedshagen has been preserved. These details distinguish the houses from one another: Krönnevitz is characterised by its Neoclassical construction period and surviving park remnants, Oldendorf by its construction and remodelling in two different periods, and Schmedshagen by the preservation of its manor house.

If you are weighing up a day of cycling against a stay focused more on cultural history, Preetz offers specific points of interest for both. Route 3 provides its length, difficulty rating and types of paths; Gutshaus Preetz and the municipality’s other manor houses add insights into park and architectural history. Other destinations you may also want to consider include Prohn, Kramerhof, Groß Mohrdorf, Klausdorf and Altenpleen.

For an overview of the wider area: Amt Altenpleen.