Zehna: Breeser See, cycling route and village church

Zehna combines wildlife watching at Breeser See, cycling on the Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route, which runs through Groß Breesen, and the village church with its diverse features. These different highlights can help you plan your trip around your interests: should nature, a cycling trip, or architectural and art history shape your stay?

Nature at Breeser See and the cycling route

Breeser See is the main feature of the nature reserve of the same name. Its extensive reed belt is of great importance for ornithology. This ecological assessment is based on an environmental evaluation from 2019; natural conditions may change over time. Visitors can observe the Breeser See nature reserve from a viewing platform. For nature enthusiasts, this combines the importance of the reed belt with a specific observation point.

Cycling offers a different focus: the European Berlin–Copenhagen Cycle Route passes through Groß Breesen, a district of Zehna. This named route gives cycle tourists a concrete reference point when choosing their destination. Wildlife watching in the protected area and the cycling route therefore appeal to different interests, without one having to replace the other.

Village church: furnishings and architectural history

Zehna Village Church brings together furnishings from several centuries. Its oldest furnishing is a granite baptismal font dating from the 13th century. Wall and vault paintings date from the 14th and 15th centuries, while the late Gothic carved altar dates from the 16th century. In the central shrine, it depicts the Madonna between four saints, including Saint Christopher. The twelve apostles are shown on the wings.

An epitaph from 1564 hangs in the choir, dedicated to Mathias Passow, who owned an inherited estate in Zehna. The wooden pulpit bears the year 1615 and the names of its donors, particularly those of the Büter family. The organ’s history also spans different periods: only the case remains of the small Baroque organ built in 1689. The instrument itself was built in 1919 by Paul Rother in Hamburg as Opus 170. The twin windows in the nave and choir contain stained glass from the Hamburg workshop of the Kuball brothers.

The architecture also features several specific details. The massive, nave-width lower section of the tower served as part of a fortified church. The north sacristy, decorated with recessed panels, dates from the church’s construction period. At the east end, the church has a slightly stepped group of three windows; the east gable is adorned with numerous plaster panels and a gable cross. Later additions include a southern brick entrance porch and a slightly recessed, square tower top. It is now plastered and topped with a pointed brick pyramidal roof and a bronze bell bearing a majuscule inscription.

The churchyard is laid out as a cemetery. Its eastern entrance leads through a wrought-iron gate with brick pillars.

Arts and crafts in Groß Breesen

In Groß Breesen, a small café and the gallery of artist couple Susanne and Jörg Mücket bring together art and good food. The work to discover there ranges from porcelain decorated with graphic designs and ceramics with oxblood-red glaze to one-of-a-kind jewelry made from silver, porcelain and gemstones. There are also double-walled ceramic tobacco pipes. While the village church focuses on historic architecture and decorative arts, the gallery turns the spotlight on porcelain, ceramics and jewelry. Check the latest opening information before visiting.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Glasewitz, Sarmstorf, Klein Upahl, Reimershagen, Mühl Rosin, Kuhs, Lüssow, Gülzow-Prüzen.

Return to the main travel overview: Amt Güstrow-Land.