Semlow: Manor House, Village Church and Garden History

Manor House and Building History

The manor house of Semlow Castle was commissioned around 1825 by Carl August von Behr-Negendank. It was built by Friedrich Wilhelm Buttel, court architect to the Duchy of Strelitz. The client and architect are thus clearly distinct; the approximate date places the building in the early 19th century. Semlow’s earlier architectural history includes the fieldstone church, whose origins date back to the early 13th century.

Village Church: Construction, Bells and Paintwork

The village church tower has three bells: one from 1447, one from 1611 and one from the late 14th century. The church interior was completely painted in 1860; this is the principal work of Lübeck painter C. J. Milde. The building, bells and paintwork thus represent distinct periods, from the early 13th century through to the 19th century. Anyone interested in church architecture or art history will find several clearly distinct historical points of interest here.

Gardens and Visit Planning

An account from 1850 describes the gardens being created in Semlow at the time. It lists the park and game park, ponds and forecourt, as well as the rose garden, orchard, kitchen garden and tree nursery. This list offers a historical picture of the gardens as they were being created. Mario Müller is listed as the contact for visits to the local history room in Semlow and guided tours of the park; he can be reached at 0172 3803931. Confirm the specific arrangements for your visit directly with him in advance.

When looking for a hotel in Semlow, you can start by choosing according to your interests: are you most interested in the manor house and its architectural history, in church art, or in the historical description of the gardens? These different themes provide a specific cultural and historical context for choosing your destination.

Vorpommern-Rügen in the Wider Travel Picture

The wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Rügen offers further cultural and natural attractions. The district of Vorpommern-Rügen is estimated to have 60 museums. The old town of the Hanseatic city of Stralsund is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar.” On Rügen, the beech forests in Jasmund National Park are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.”

The region also offers a variety of geographical highlights: the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula chain is part of the district of Vorpommern-Rügen, as are Rügen and the nearby islands of Hiddensee and Ummanz. The historic narrow-gauge railway “Rasender Roland” operates on Rügen. Vorpommern-Rügen is also known for the Störtebeker Festival. If an event is central to your travel plans, check the specific dates.

Further art attractions include the galleries in Ribnitz-Damgarten and Putbus. The art collection of the district is preserved, maintained and administered at the Gallery in the Monastery in Ribnitz-Damgarten. It comprises around 500 works of painting, graphic art, sculpture, ceramics, silk painting and textile design, dating from the late 19th century to the present day. Visitors can see rotating exhibitions featuring works from the collection; there is also a permanent exhibition of prints by Lyonel Feininger. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.

The gallery in the Orangery in Putbus hosts up to eight exhibitions each year; readings and concerts are also part of the program. The gallery is housed in a historic building in the heart of the art and cultural town of Putbus. For specific events, check the current dates.

Discover more destinations: Ahrenshagen-Daskow, Langendamm, Schlemmin, Ribnitz-Damgarten.

View the wider travel overview: Amt Ribnitz-Damgarten.