Discover Schönbeck: Village Church, Cycling Tour and Rattey

Village Church and Wilhelm Sauer

Schönbeck Village Church is an Early Gothic rectangular building dating from the second half of the 13th century. Its history can also be explored through Wilhelm Sauer: Sauer was born in Schönbeck on 23 March 1831 and lived there until 1838. A memorial plaque near the church commemorates his birthplace. The church and the plaque thus offer different points of interest for anyone curious about the historic village and its connection to Sauer.

The church has an organ that Wilhelm Sauer donated in 1910 as his final work in his birthplace of Schönbeck. It was rebuilt in 2005. The church’s construction period, Sauer’s life dates and the organ’s later history are distinct points in time. Together, they give the village church particular cultural and historical significance, without implying anything about visiting arrangements today.

Landscape, Mühlenbach Stream and Cycling Tour

The Mühlenbach stream flows through Schönbeck. It was culverted in the early 1970s and later restored to a more natural state. This sequence is part of the watercourse’s local history: first it was culverted, then restored. Schönbeck is also nestled in the landscape of the Brohmer and Helpter Hills. Visitors choosing a destination based on landscape and outdoor activity can pair this geographical setting with the circular tour described here.

The 40-kilometre circular tour through the Helpter Hills is suitable for cyclists and passes through Schönbeck as its first and last stop. When planning your day, take the full stated route length into account. The circular tour and the approach to the Brohmer Hills via the B 96 are two separate points of reference: the described route starts at the Woldegk exit and goes via Schönbeck, Brohm and Friedland. This places Schönbeck both as a stop on a longer cycling loop and along the way on this approach.

The Eichhorst nature reserve lies in Schönbecker Wald, in the south-west of the municipality of Schönbeck. This location helps pinpoint the reserve within the municipality; it does not describe a specific route to get there. Schönbeck is also home to two artesian wells: one is by the former rectory, and another is about 800 metres to the north-west. This second location is given in relation to the well by the former rectory.

Rattey: Manor House, Winegrowing and Farm Shop

Rattey is also part of the picture of the municipality of Schönbeck. Hans-Christoph von Oertzen had the manor house built there in 1806; the landscape park was created at the same time. Wine is grown in the park. The area is described as Germany’s northernmost wine-growing region. For a trip that combines local history with regional produce, this adds two more points of interest: the historic estate and winegrowing in Rattey.

At Rattey Castle, the “Alte Kellerei” farm shop invites visitors to sample, shop and spend some time. Its range includes wines, liqueurs and spirits from Rattey, as well as “Brohmer Landbräu” beers. The municipality is also home to Charlottenhof Manor and another chapter of organ history: Charlottenhof Manor is a formerly unnamed outlying estate, named after Charlotte von Oertzen in 1826. Rattey Church has an organ by Carl August Buchholz dating from 1836, with seven stops on one manual and pedal.

More local pages: Petersdorf, Neetzka, Groß Miltzow, Voigtsdorf, Helpt, Mildenitz, Woldegk, Schönhausen.

For the broader travel overview: Amt Woldegk.