Baumgarten: Village History, Church Art and Nature

Baumgarten is a collegiate village first mentioned in a document in 1233 and considered a typical Angerdorf (village arranged around a central green). The village’s history and settlement form give it a distinctive character. In the church, you’ll find two pilgrimage routes and remarkable works of art. In other places in the municipality of Baumgarten, church art, gardens and nature experiences also come together in a variety of themes to help you plan your trip.

Church Art in Baumgarten

The late Gothic fieldstone church in Baumgarten was built in the 13th century; its central section is a half-timbered structure. The church is on the Way of St. James and the Way of St. Bridget of Sweden. On the south side of the church tower is a clock with an hour bell, considered a rarity in Mecklenburg.

Another eye-catching feature is the carved altar from the 15th century, located by the organ gallery. Its figures depict St. Anne with her daughter Mary and the infant Jesus, Jerome with the lion, the Evangelist John with a book bag, and John the Baptist with the lamb. There is also another sculpture of Mary. The altar, clock and half-timbered central section give the church a range of historical and architectural features.

Churches in Laase and Qualitz

Laase is also home to a small Early Gothic brick church from the 14th century. It houses a carved Madonna on a throne from the 13th century, a medieval oak sculpture. The Madonna was restored in 2002 and is among the oldest and most valuable Madonna figures in Mecklenburg. Because of the sculpture of Mary, the church is a popular destination for pilgrims and visitors from near and far.

The late Gothic fieldstone and brick church in Qualitz was built after 1300. It is first mentioned in a document from 1233 concerning Rühn Monastery. Its masonry consists of brick and fieldstone, some of it remarkably large. During a comprehensive restoration in 1873/74, the church was given a four-storey neo-Gothic tower and two newly cast bells. It stands in the middle of the village at its highest point and is visible from afar. The chronology—an early mention in a document, construction after 1300 and a later restoration—makes Qualitz a distinct chapter in local history.

Gardens, Crafts and Seasonal Events

Every year, the one-hectare rectory garden in Qualitz takes part in “Open Gardens MV”. Flower beds with perennials, historic roses, vegetables, potatoes, strawberries and herbs complement areas where wild plants and trees grow undisturbed. You can take walks through open gardens in Qualitz. Check the dates of the garden events before your trip.

The Lilienton pottery workshop is located in the former school next to the church in Qualitz. Its range includes everything from small sculptures to complete tea services. Visits and purchases are possible by appointment; arrange a visit directly in advance. Every year, the pottery workshop takes part in “Open Gardens” and “Open Pottery Workshops”. In spring, Qualitz also hosts tree-pruning seminars; it is advisable to check the dates in advance for these as well.

Hiking and Nature in the Municipality

The municipality of Baumgarten is set in an attractive landscape and partly lies within the Sternberg Lake District Nature Park. From Qualitz, you can hike in every direction: along fields, through quiet forests or into the Warnow river landscape. Clear-water streams run through the landscape in the forests near Qualitz. Observant visitors may spot kingfishers and dippers diving; however, sightings are not guaranteed.

You can also hike from Qualitz to the “Schwarzer See” nature reserve in Schlemmin Forest. A boardwalk runs through areas of moorland where bogbean, marsh cinquefoil, marsh parsley and cottongrass grow, among other plants; various sedge and sphagnum moss species are also found there. Baumgarten therefore offers several distinct options when choosing where to stay: the village’s history, churches and art in other places in the municipality, as well as gardens and hiking landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Bernitt, Warnow, Tarnow, Penzin, Jürgenshagen, Klein Belitz, Bützow, Rühn.

For the overview of the wider area: Amt Bützow-Land.