Mecklenburg's Switzerland
"Mecklenburg's Switzerland" – that sounds like mountains, forests and breathtaking panoramic views. However, the highest "mountain" here is only 123 metres high.
Nevertheless: this marvellous track of land offers everything to meet the desires of those searching for tranquillity or of architecture enthusiasts: numerous castles and estates are evidence of the prosperity of former times. Today they accommodate many an art workshop, also open to you. Are you fond of romantic parks? The most significant landscape architect of German Classicism, Peter Joseph Lenné (1789-1866), created one of the most beautiful park arrangements of his life around Basedow Castle.
"The Hovering" in the Cathedral
In his adopted place of residence, Güstrow, the sculptor and author Ernst Barlach (1870-1938) created many of his famous works such as "The Hovering". Today a copy of the second cast can be seen in the Güstrower Dom. The original was melted down during the Nazi era.
"Stonehenge" in Mecklenburg
Whether the Boitin Steintanz south of Bützow is a pure burial site dating back to the Iron Age (600 - 400 A.D.) or if a place of ritual worship or jurisdiction had existed at this site long before – this has not been clearly proved yet. In any case, similarities to the English Stonehenge do exist.
Warring for geese
Bützow is a formerly very prosperous small town northeast of Schwerin. Even today we are reminded in various ways of 1794 "Gänsekrieg" (Goose War).
The horse in the oak tree
At the beginning of the 19th century the Ivenack oak trees near Reuterstadt Stavenhagen were already so big that the famous white stallion "Herodot" could be hidden from the French in a hollow trunk. They found it, nevertheless, and made it Napoleon's leading horse. Today the biggest of the oaks has a trunk diameter of 3.49 metres and is at least 1000 years old.