Elmenhorst: Village History, Equestrian Sport and Nature

Those considering a stay in Elmenhorst will find a range of themes to help guide their visit: village history, equestrian sport, nature and cycling. An equestrian and show-jumping tournament held every year at Whitsun provides a specific event date. The area also has natural sites in and northeast of the municipality, as well as two cycle routes included in the state transport plan. This can help you decide whether historical sites, a sporting event, or nature and outdoor activities are most important for your travel plans.

Village Church and Local History

Elmenhorst village church was built around 1270 by the Cistercian monastery of Neuencamp, now Franzburg. Its history also includes later details of its furnishings: the Mehmel organ dates from 1870 and was extensively restored in 1999 by Rainer Wolter of Zudar (Rügen). These details reflect different historical reference points for the church: its construction and the history of its instrument.

Another glimpse into the church’s history comes from its Baroque wall paintings, which were uncovered there in 2003. The year refers to when they were uncovered; the paintings themselves are Baroque. Those interested in cultural history can therefore explore the church’s construction, organ and wall paintings as distinct aspects, without attributing them to the same period.

The local history room in the Haus der Begegnung (House of Encounters) offers a broader look at the village’s development, which visitors can learn about there. The church and the local history room thus offer different perspectives: one on the history and furnishings of a specific building, and the other on the historical development of Elmenhorst. The local history room gives the village’s development its own focus.

Equestrian Sport and the Whitsun Tournament

An equestrian and show-jumping tournament is held in Elmenhorst every year at Whitsun. More than 300 riders take part. Whitsun is the recurring date that makes the tournament particularly relevant to travel planning; the number of participants indicates the size of the field. Those interested in equestrian sport can consider the event as a focus alongside the village’s historical and nature-related attractions.

The Elmenhorst Equestrian and Driving Club (Reit- und Fahrverein Elmenhorst e.V.) offers a different way to engage with equestrian sport: interested people can learn to ride and take part in the sport there. The tournament and the club’s activities therefore represent two different aspects: an annual competition and learning or practising the sport. Which perspective matters to you depends on whether you are primarily interested in the tournament or in equestrian sport as an activity.

Nature Areas near Elmenhorst

The Krummenhagener See nature reserve begins at Elmenhorst’s northwestern municipal boundary. It provides habitat for a diverse range of breeding and migratory birds. The Zarrendorfer Torfstiche nature reserve lies northeast of Elmenhorst, in the vicinity of the destination; otters are found there. The two areas can be distinguished by their location and the wildlife mentioned: breeding and migratory birds are a feature of Krummenhagener See, while otters are noted at the Zarrendorfer Torfstiche. Those interested in nature will therefore find different points of interest to consider when choosing where to visit.

Cycling and Getting Around

The State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s cycling route plan includes a regional main route from Grimmen via Wittenhagen, Elmenhorst, Zarrendorf, Wendorf and Voigdehagen to Stralsund. Another main route is planned from Krummenhagen via Elmenhorst and Neu Elmenhorst to Ahrendsee and Brandshagen. Both are planned main routes included in the plan. The listed sequence of places distinguishes their routes; it does not mean that the paths have already been built.

For rail travel, it is also useful to know that there are stops in Elmenhorst and Wittenhagen on a second railway line. If you would like to explore other places as well as Elmenhorst, you can also visit Wittenhagen and Sundhagen.

For an overview of the wider area: Amt Miltzow.