The castle rampart near Menkendorf is one of the best preserved ground monuments in Mecklenburg from Slavic times. More than 1200 years ago, it was destroyed during a military conflict. Remains of the rampart still remind us of its outstanding dimensions.
In 809, the presumably last castle complex of the Smeldingers - a West Slavic tribe that settled in southwestern Mecklenburg in the 9th century - was captured and destroyed near Menkendorf during an enemy raid. For centuries, the remains of the castle lay hidden in a marshy area until they became visible again with the cultivation of agricultural land in the early 19th century.
Today, visitors can see a 1:1 scale model of the castle near the historic rampart. Although this does not claim to be an authentic replica, it is intended to reproduce essential construction features of the former castle complex. Signs show interested visitors the way to the Slavic rampart and the model.
