A church with a history dating back to 1385, three-aisled hall houses built in 1576, 1734 and 1820, and a 49.8-kilometre circular cycling route reveal different sides of Gusborn. Quickborn invites visitors to take a closer look at church architecture and furnishings; in Siemen, the focus is on rural architectural history. Those who prefer to be outdoors can explore the Elbe and extensive woodland. The village week is also part of local life, but takes place every few years.

Quickborn: church architecture and furnishings

The Church of St Mary Magdalene in Quickborn dates back to 1385 and served as a refuge for the local population. The present church building was constructed between 1777 and 1784, incorporating remnants of an earlier structure. The rectangular building has a polygonal, apse-like sacristy. The west tower has an almost square ground plan; its core probably dates from the 14th century.

The furnishings include a Neoclassical pulpit altar wall, probably dating from around 1784, finished in gold and white; a polygonal pulpit with a sounding board; a box-shaped altar; and a wooden baptismal font. There is also a carved crucifix from the 15th century, four painted carved figures from the 15th century and a portrait of Martin Luther. Quickborn thus brings together the design of the present church building and furnishings from different centuries.

Siemen: three three-aisled hall houses

Siemen is home to the oldest hall house in the Wendland region: a three-aisled hall house dating from 1576. The Rundling village also has two rare three-aisled hall houses from 1734 and 1820. The three construction dates offer a concrete comparison: alongside the oldest house are two later examples of the same type. Siemen therefore puts the spotlight on rural architectural history, while Quickborn focuses primarily on church architecture and sacred furnishings.

The Elbe, woodland and wildlife watching

Gusborn is bounded to the north by the Elbe at Wulfsahl and to the south by the Lucie, a state forest. The nearby Elbe and extensive woodland offer opportunities to watch deer and cranes in their natural habitat. The landscape and wildlife watching provide a different focus from individual buildings: here, the surroundings take centre stage.

Village week and circular cycling route

A “village week” has traditionally been held in Gusborn every five years, when the individual village communities present themselves. If you are planning to time your trip to coincide with the event, check the dates for the relevant edition in advance.

The “Town, Country, River” circular cycling route is 49.8 kilometres long and runs via Siepnitz, Quickborn and Gusborn, as well as Kacherien, before returning to the Elbe. This family-friendly route is almost entirely flat and offers constantly changing scenery along the way. The route information was last updated on 24 September 2026. As conditions can change, it is advisable to check the latest route information before setting out.

More culture in the wider Lüchow-Dannenberg destination

The wider Lüchow-Dannenberg destination offers more cultural attractions. In the Rundling village of Lübeln, the Wendland Rundling Museum features a farmstead as an open-air museum; traditional crafts are brought to life in the pottery, forge, bakehouse and wheelwright’s workshop. The Hitzacker Archaeological Centre is an open-air museum on a site that people were already using around 4,000 years ago. Three reconstructed longhouses and numerous interactive exhibits offer insights into everyday life in the past.

A seasonal event in the wider Lüchow-Dannenberg destination is the Kulturelle Landpartie. Since 1989, artists and craftspeople have opened their farm gates and studios every year between Ascension Day and Pentecost, presenting their work for twelve days. The exact dates vary each year; if you are planning your trip around the event, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Discover more destinations: Schnega, Woltersdorf, Zernien, Göhrde, Hitzacker, Luckau, Leisten, Lübbow

Back to the main travel overview: Lüchow-Dannenberg.