Residence Cities Circuit

In the footsteps of the dukes

2021_Route logo_Residenzstaedte circular route, © TMV

Route

285 km

Etappen

5

Out and about by bike at Güstrow Castle, © TMV/Gänsicke

Route

© TMV, Danny Gohlke

Wismar, Holy Spirit Church

  • Lübsche Str. 31/Ecke Neustadt, 23966 Wismar

The rectangular Gothic hall church was built in its present form in the 15th century, incorporating some parts from the previous building.

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© TZ Wismar, Alexander Rudolph

Old Harbour of Wismar

  • Freely accessible at any time
  • Alter Hafen, 23966 Wismar

Since 1211, the Old Harbour has largely preserved its harbour basin in its location and design. Moreover, the harbour continues to be important as a mooring for excursion steamers, for leisure captains and traditional ships such as the 'Kogge' and the 'Atalanta'.

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© SSGK MV / Timm Allrich

Schwerin Palace

  • Open today
  • Lennéstraße, 19053 Schwerin

Schwerin Palace is located on an island in Lake Schwerin and is among the most important historicism edifices in Europe.

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© SSGK M-V / Timm Allrich

Güstrow Castle

  • Temporarily closed
  • Franz-Parr-Platz, 18273 Güstrow

On the edge of the old town of Güstrow, one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe surprises with its southern charm. Magnificent stucco ceilings from the time of construction have been preserved. Extensive renovation work is currently taking place in the castle. Due to this, the castle museum is not open to the public.

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© SSGK MV / Funkhaus Creative

Wiligrad Castle

  • Open today
  • Wiligrader Straße, 19069 Lübstorf

The former ducal residence palace with the surrounding palace park and the historic estate ensemble is one of the most beautiful places on Lake Schwerin. The art exhibition in the castle is particularly worth seeing. With its location on a steep bank directly on the lake, it is considered an insider's tip for excursions, especially in autumn and in spring during the rhododron bloom. The old nursery houses a farm store and a popular farm café.

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© Christoph Nahr

Güstrow Cathedral

  • Domplatz, 18273 Güstrow

Construction of the cathedral began in 1226 and was not completed until 1335 with the consecration of the altar. The transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic period can be clearly seen at Güstrow Cathedral. The cruciform ground plan and the elongated choir room point to the Romanesque concept. The massive west tower is 44 meters high.

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© Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Schwerin Castle - Gardens

  • 19053 Schwerin

Though the Palace outshines almost everything around it, there is one more attraction on that island which you shouldn’t miss. To the left of the main entrance, walking through the castle garden, you will find the charming orangery. It is a delicate construction made of cast iron and glass, a unique example of 19th century architecture and one of a kind in Germany. With its parkways, arcades, flower beds, sculptures, and the cross channel the baroque-style castle garden knows how to impress. The garden is public and open to visitors.

Read more: "Schwerin Castle - Gardens"
© Fotostudio K3 Kruse GmbH Neustadt-Glewe

Neustadt-Glewe Castle

  • Alte Burg, 19306 Neustadt-Glewe

The oldest preserved fortress in Mecklenburg stands in Neustadt-Glewe. It is one of the best preserved castles in Mecklenburg and can be visited. At the castle, there is a museum that is well worth seeing, as well as a restaurant and a tourist information office.

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© Silke Winkler

Mecklenburg State Theater

  • Open today
  • Alter Garten, 19055 Schwerin

The Mecklenburg State Theater in the beautiful state capital Schwerin has a lot to offer: a talented acting ensemble, a versatile musical theater, the third oldest orchestra in Germany, an international ballet ensemble, the Young State Theater Parchim and the traditional Fritz Reuter Stage - up Platt, as well as the highlight of the season every summer, the Schwerin Castle Festival with a diverse program.

Read more: "Mecklenburg State Theater"
© SSGK MV / Jörn Lehmann

Ludwigslust Castle

  • Open today
  • Schlossfreiheit, 19288 Ludwigslust

The magnificent Ludwigslust Palace, situated in a spacious park with avenues, cascades, canals and water jumps, is the center of the late Baroque town complex. In the castle's museum, the restored rooms shine in courtly splendor and transport visitors back in time. In the hunting hall of the castle there is a café with a spacious terrace overlooking the castle park.

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In Schwerin, the most beautiful heritage of sovereign splendor is reflected in the Schwerin Castle Lake. The golden roofs and filigree turrets of the residential palace shimmer like a fairy tale. The youngest palace of the ducal family - Wiligrad Castle - basks in the sun on the wooded western shore of Schwerin Lake. A few kilometers further, in Dorf Mecklenburg, lie its roots. The former Michelenburg gave its name to the country. In the Hanseatic City of Wismar, Duke Johann Albrecht I had his princely court built in the style of Italian Renaissance.

The second stage leads inland through the typical Mecklenburg landscape, past the crystal-clear Neukloster Lake over steeper hills with magnificent views, to Bützow. The small town on the Warnow River was already a bishop's seat in the 13th century. Along the Bützow-Güstrow canal we reach the Barlach town of Güstrow with its Renaissance castle. Through the Nossentiner/ Schwinzer Heide with dozens of lakes, cyclists reach the Dobbertin Monastery on the lake of the same name.

Behind Goldberg the forest ends and a magnificent view of the picturesque landscape stretches out. In the middle of it all is the blue avenue of the north - the Müritz-Elde waterway. The castle of the picturesque town of Neustadt-Glewe can be seen from afar. The baroque palace in Ludwigslust resembles the French Versailles with its park of water features, avenues and statues. A wonder built on the sand of the Griesen area. In the Lewitz nature reserve, cyclists are greeted by the ducal hunting lodge of Friedrichsmoor. Along the Störkanal, the route leads toward the destination. Ancient oaks in the Raben-Steinfeld castle park greet cyclists before their arrival in Schwerin.

Current detour notice:
In Bützow, the path is fully closed due to a construction site. A detour is signposted.

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Service

Arrival

Public transport:

Rail connections: Schwerin, Wismar, Bützow, Güstrow, Ludwigslust, etc.

More information

More info / links:

  • Tour tips: Residence cities Schwerin, Güstrow and Ludwigslust with their government palaces, UNESCO World Heritage Site Wismar with its brick Gothic architecture.

Picture gallery

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