Katzow: Sculpture Park and St. Johannis
Accommodation in Katzow
For culture enthusiasts, two distinct attractions stand out in Katzow: the sculpture park with its extensive collection, and St. Johannis, a simple church dating from around 1300. Traditional markets held in two different seasons are another highlight. This means you can plan your trip around your interest in sculpture, sacred architecture, or seasonal market activity. If you are considering Katzow as a destination, these points of interest provide a concrete framework for choosing when to travel and what cultural focus to pursue.
File:Abstract metal sculpture in Skulpturenpark Katzow 01.jpg
Photo: Siarhei Besarab via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sculpture Park and Cycling Route
Katzow Sculpture Park covers 20 hectares and features more than 100 sculptures, making it Europe’s largest sculpture park. Most of the works are made of wood and steel. The first International Sculptors’ Workshop took place in 1992 and subsequently became a regular program, through which the park was enriched each year with several sculptures by German and international artists. This history adds a timeline to the figures on the park’s size: the workshop links its beginnings in 1992 to a program that was later established and to the annual additions to the collection.
The park is just outside Katzow. On the cycling route, after about 500 meters in Katzow, the road continues straight along a cobblestone street to the sculpture park at the edge of the village. If you are following this cycling route, check the signs and road layout on site.
Seasonal Markets in Katzow
The traditional Easter market takes place in the sculpture park in spring, and the traditional Christmas market in late autumn. The markets feature around 50 stalls and spit-roasted pork. Held at different times of year, the markets serve as distinct reference points when planning a trip: spring is the time to visit the Easter market, and late autumn is the time for the Christmas market. If you are traveling specifically for a market, check the exact dates and program before your trip.
St. Johannis: Church and Music
St. Johannis in Katzow is a simple, towerless church in the Cistercian style, dating from around 1300. It can be heated and is a recurring venue for choirs and soloists. The church is notable both for its historic architectural style and for its musical events. Whether a music event falls during your travel dates depends on the parish program. This allows you to distinguish between a focus on the building itself and a possible event date, depending on your interests.
The Wider Region: Vorpommern-Greifswald
The wider destination of Vorpommern-Greifswald also offers a regional connection between nature and culture. The three nature parks in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald cover almost 40 percent of its area. The Baltic Sea Cycle Route, part of the EuroVelo EV10 route, runs through the district. The Stettiner Haff Circular Route and the Route of North German Romanticism are among the regional cycling routes for exploring the district. For an art-historical perspective, the Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald displays the Croy Tapestry of 1554, a unique cultural and historical artifact from the Reformation era. If you are planning a specific cycling tour, check the route signs and conditions.
Discover more destinations: Hanshagen, Wusterhusen, Neu Boltenhagen, Loissin, Brünzow, Kemnitz, Kröslin, Rubenow.
For the wider travel overview: Amt Lubmin.
