Bentwisch: Churches and Village Life Near Rostock
Accommodation in Bentwisch
Bentwisch lies near the Warnow River and the Baltic Sea, around three kilometres northeast of the university and Hanseatic city of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The village is located at the junction of the A19 motorway and the B105 federal road. The Bentwisch church and the church in Volkenshagen provide architectural reference points for the village’s history; the parish courtyard café and the village festival celebrated in 2026 add a glimpse of community life.
Churches Between the Middle Ages and a History of Alterations
The Bentwisch church is the oldest building in the village. Construction of the present-day church began shortly after 1300; the Gothic building was completed between 1350 and 1370. The church is a brick structure built on foundations of granite and fieldstone. Its date and choice of materials give the building a clear historical and architectural context.
The church in Volkenshagen is also part of the Bentwisch parish. It was first mentioned in a document in 1297 and is more than 700 years old. From 1892 to 1895, it was remodelled under the direction of Building Councillor Möckel, commissioned by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz. A 47-metre-high Neo-Gothic brick tower with a tall cross replaced the wooden tower. Set away from the main Rostock–Rövershagen and Rostock–Marlow routes, the tower is visible from far away and rises above the canopies of old lime trees. The organ also has its own history: Friedrich Hermann Lütkemüller was commissioned to build a new one in 1862. Anyone interested in church architecture can compare the Gothic building in Bentwisch with the Neo-Gothic tower’s history in Volkenshagen.
Courtyard Café and Community Life
The courtyard café in the Bentwisch parish courtyard serves homemade cakes and fragrant coffee. It’s a welcoming place to spend a relaxed afternoon with friends, meet others and enjoy a slice of cake. The parish courtyard thus adds a convivial side of village life to the churches and their architectural history. If you plan to visit the courtyard café, check its opening hours in advance.
Bentwisch’s traditional village festival was held on 3 and 4 July 2026 on the festival field. The programme included pony rides, glitter tattoos and face painting for younger guests. From 7:30 p.m., there was also an open-air dance for guests aged 16 and over. The age restriction applies to the dance, not to the entire festival programme.
In the Greater Rostock Destination
The greater Rostock destination also offers nature experiences: visitors to Wildpark-MV can explore the park on their own or join guided walks, including wolf, owl and evening walks. This is a different kind of experience from Bentwisch’s church architecture and everyday village life.
Regional transport offers a wider way to get around, too. Buses and trains operate throughout the district of Rostock as part of the regional transport network; with one ticket, holidaymakers can travel throughout the region, including the Hanseatic and university city of Rostock.
Discover more destinations: Rövershagen, Blankenhagen, Mönchhagen and Gelbensande.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Amt Rostocker Heide.
