Schönermark borders Gransee immediately to the west. The town can be explored through its history and distinctive landscape names: the medieval Wartturm and Dölschsee are located in the Stadtwald south of Schönermark. Wartberg is locally known as the “Schönermarker Alps.” When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing these local points of interest from excursions in the larger Oberhavel destination.
Village History and Places of Remembrance
The first recorded spelling of the place name is Schöner-Mark, dating from 1365. In 1590, Schönermark became the manor seat of the von Zernikow family. The village was devastated in 1634 during the Thirty Years’ War.
The village church and the Schönermark war memorial are also named historical points of interest. The church is listed as a protected monument in the state of Brandenburg under number 09165805. The war memorial adds another place of remembrance to the village’s history. Anyone interested in Schönermark’s past will find both historical facts and specific, named places in the village.
Landscape South of the Village
The area around Schönermark is rural and peaceful, and is largely used for agriculture. The Stadtwald south of the village brings together two specific features in its description: the medieval Wartturm is located there, and so is the Dölschsee. Wartberg is known locally as the “Schönermarker Alps.”
For a longer hike, a section of the Brandenburg Monastery Trail, around 20 kilometres long, is a regional option. It runs from Lindow (Mark) via Meseberg to Gransee. Check trail markers and conditions before hiking. For cycling, signposted, paved routes such as the Polzowradweg and the Stechlinseeradweg lead to Gransee and nearby tourist destinations. As signage and surfaces may change, it is also a good idea to check the current route before setting off.
Gransee and Further Planning
Gransee is an immediate neighbour of Schönermark. From Berlin Central Station, Gransee can be reached by regional express in about 45 minutes. This approximate travel time applies to Gransee; check connections and your onward plans to Schönermark separately. A historic walk through Gransee’s Stadtwald, with a stop at the Wartturm, is also documented. The current route and conditions may differ, so check the route before setting out for a walk.
Oberhavel as the Wider Region
Oberhavel is part of the Ruppiner Seenland tourism region. At the district level, lakes and rivers suitable for swimming are part of the recreational offering, alongside regional and international hiking trails. The 66-Seen-Wanderweg and the European long-distance path E10 pass through Oberhavel; long-distance cycling routes also provide access to nature and places of interest. These are options in the wider Oberhavel destination, not details of specific routes through Schönermark. Plan each route section and your journey to suit your chosen destination.
Oberhavel also offers its own cultural destinations. Oranienburg Palace is the oldest Baroque palace in the Mark Brandenburg. The palace museum displays famous 17th-century works of art, as well as a unique Silver Chamber and a noteworthy Porcelain Chamber. The Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum in Oranienburg provides information on various aspects of the site’s history in 13 smaller permanent exhibitions and is also a modern museum of contemporary history. These destinations are part of the wider Oberhavel destination and can be considered as a distinct regional focus.
At Ziegeleipark Mildenberg, visitors can seasonally drive a diesel locomotive themselves and obtain a brickworks railway driving licence. The ride lasts half an hour; starting, braking and changing points are part of the experience. Check dates and booking conditions for this seasonal activity in advance. This keeps planning for this destination separate from local explorations in Schönermark.
Choose Accommodation Based on Your Plans
If you plan to visit destinations in Oranienburg or Mildenberg as well as explore the village’s history and the landscape south of it, plan travel between the different places and your journey there separately. This way, your choice of accommodation will reflect your actual travel plans, rather than treating different places in Oberhavel as one single excursion area.
Discover more destinations: Stechlin, Hohen Neuendorf, Mühlenbecker Land, Sonnenberg, Großwoltersdorf, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Oberkrämer, Wesendorf.
Back to the wider travel overview: Oberhavel.
