In Seeblick’s Hohennauen district, a complex architectural history, the village church and the Hohennauener-Ferchesarer See lakeside loop come together. Hohennauen Castle was first mentioned in 1386; it had already secured the land of Rhinow to the south since the late 12th century. The history and the loop offer different points of reference for planning a stay.

Castle and palace: several building phases

After the castle had fallen into complete disrepair following the Thirty Years’ War, a half-timbered palace was built on its foundations around 1700. In 1778, the palace was extensively remodelled under Hans Ehrenreich von Bornstedt and later partly rendered. Another major change followed in 1928: the building was substantially altered and given a central avant-corps. The building history therefore cannot be reduced to a single period; a half-timbered palace and later alterations followed the castle.

Hohennauen Village Church

The village church also brings together historical details from different periods. Its brick west tower dates back to the Romanesque predecessor building from the mid-13th century and has loopholes, reflecting its function as a defensive tower. Several 18th-century paintings adorn the church interior. Beneath the patron’s gallery is the ornate sandstone sarcophagus of Katharina Hedwig von der Hagen, created around 1769. It is decorated with a combined coat of arms and inscriptions. The tower thus combines an older building origin with a defensive function; the sarcophagus adds a distinctive feature to the interior.

Lakeside loop and bathing area

The Hohennauener-Ferchesarer See lakeside loop is 23.2 km long and starts and ends at the village green in the Hohennauen district. From Hohennauen, the route crosses the canal bridge. It is marked with a red bar on a white background and the words “Seerundweg” (lakeside loop). Its length and two endpoints provide a clear framework for planning the trip; check local conditions before setting out.

Another option by the water is the Hohennauen bathing area on Lake Hohennauen. It is designated as an EU bathing site. Bathing water quality is described as excellent and is checked regularly. As water quality can change, check the latest assessment before swimming.

More to discover in the wider Havelland destination

In the wider Havelland destination, Lake Gülper offers a particular focus on birdwatching. A roughly 1.5-kilometre-long nature trail with illustrated information boards runs along the south shore. During spring and autumn migration, up to 100,000 geese and hundreds of cranes gather at Lake Gülper; numerous waders, ducks and grey herons also visit. This seasonal aspect is a useful point of reference if birdwatching influences when you plan your trip.

Cyclists can also find their bearings in the wider Havelland destination: the numbered junction system makes it possible to plan individual cycling routes. The Havelland Cycle Route runs through the Havelländisches Luch via Nauen, Ribbeck and Rathenow to the Westhavelland Nature and Star Park. It is mostly paved, flat and pleasant to ride. This regional cycling information complements the local choice between architectural history, the village church, the loop and the bathing area, without conflating the Hohennauen lakeside loop with the Havelland Cycle Route.

Discover more destinations: Rhinow, Havelaue, Stechow-Ferchesar, Kotzen, Wassersuppe, Semlin, Dallgow-Döberitz, Börnicke

Return to the wider travel guide: Havelland.