Discover Uelitz: Church and Village History
Accommodation in Uelitz
Uelitz is best explored through its village history and Baroque brick church, one of the town’s most historically significant buildings. The still-recognisable arrangement of twelve farmsteads around the church also makes the village layout a subject in its own right. If you enjoy getting to know destinations through architectural history, sacred art and musical traditions, Uelitz offers several specific points of interest. Nature and route options add to the picture in the wider region.
From a medieval village to a Baroque church
Uelitz was first mentioned in a document in 1218. In it, the Counts of Schwerin sold the village to Reinfeld Cistercian Monastery in Holstein. This early mention is part of the village’s history; the church was built much later, between 1747 and 1750, as a brick church. This chronology helps distinguish the village’s history from the history of its architecture without separating the two.
The interior brings together works from different artistic periods. The pulpit is an original from the time of construction, probably dating to around 1747. It is decorated with the four Evangelists, their attributes and Bible quotations. The ceiling painting dates from the 18th century and was restored in 2007. The altar adds a later note: its neo-Gothic carved work was created in the 19th century and includes a carved crucifix by Siegfried Güstrow from 1889. These different dates provide several points of reference for the church’s art history.
Bells and the Friese organ
The bells also date from different centuries. The large bell dates back to the early 14th century. It has a diameter of 97 centimetres, with eleven small images around its rim. The smaller, second bell was cast in 1932 and bears no National Socialist symbols. The two bells can therefore be distinguished by their dates and their individual designs.
Another notable feature is the mechanical Friese organ. It was built in 1894 and has been preserved entirely in its original condition. It is also considered the penultimate instrument from the workshop of Friedrich Friese (Friese III) and the last organ he installed himself. The instrument was restored in 2000. It can be played during church services and concerts. For travellers interested in organ building and music history, the organ thus connects a specific workshop tradition with its use in the church.
Village layout and other travel interests
The historic village layout comprises twelve farmsteads, whose arrangement around the church is still recognisable today. The rectory ensemble in Uelitz dates from the years after 1786. Together, these details offer different chronological reference points for viewing the village: its first medieval mention, the 18th-century church and the later rectory ensemble. The parish barn was converted into a stop on a pilgrimage route that is also suitable for cyclists and other tourists. Alongside an interest in architectural and church history, pilgrimage and cycling are therefore also part of the local travel experience.
In the wider travel area is the Lewitz, a water-rich region covering 1,600 hectares and considered Germany’s largest contiguous meadow landscape. It adds a natural dimension to Uelitz’s cultural and historical attractions. To help visitors navigate the wider region, the “EntdeckerROUTEN” app provides GPS-guided navigation on foot and by bicycle along eight routes in the Ludwigslust region. The app routes and the pilgrimage route stop offer different options for travellers interested in active pursuits.
You can also visit the pages for Warlow, Leussow, Lübesse, Rastow, Göhlen, Lüblow, Sülstorf and Wöbbelin for more local information.
For the wider travel overview: Amt Ludwigslust-Land.
