The village church in Marnitz combines architectural styles from several centuries: the half-timbered building dates from the 18th century, and the neo-Gothic tower was built in 1913. A wooden passage connects the two parts. Inside are a Baroque altar and a Renaissance pulpit. The half-timbering, tower and furnishings thus add distinct historical accents to a single church building.

Building History in Marnitz

Construction of Marnitz Castle began during the last Slavic period, in the 10th or 11th century. The main rampart rises 8 metres above the lowland terrain. Since 1930, the entire castle complex has been protected as a historic monument. The main rampart is therefore only one part of the complex; the protected status applies to the entire castle site. The castle’s origins significantly predate the church’s building phases: construction began in the 10th or 11th century, followed by the half-timbered building in the 18th century and the tower in 1913.

A report from 2018 also describes the church’s phased restoration, during which a winter church and toilets were accommodated.

Burial Mounds and Slavic Traces

Marnitz is a starting point for a well-developed route to burial mounds in Mooster and its surroundings. On the road from Marnitz to Mooster, two fenced burial mounds lie in a small wooded area, 400 metres beyond the Siggelkow-Suckow junction. The so-called “Small Ring Rampart” is a well-preserved archaeological monument and more than 1,100 years old.

South of Marnitz, in the Ruhner Wald, lies a former Slavic castle complex. On walks through the Marnitz beech woods, the contours of the old castle moat and the ramparts of the Slavic stronghold are clearly visible in the landscape.

Ruhner Berge: Landscape and Trails

The Ruhner Berge, a protected landscape area, lie nearby to the south of Marnitz. Ruhner Berg is 176 metres high and the second-highest elevation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. There is a nature trail and signposted cycling and walking routes in the surrounding area.

Another nearby viewpoint is the Ruhner Tower. Its observation platform is 32.5 metres high and can be reached by climbing 180 steps; from the top, the view extends far across Mecklenburg and Brandenburg. For planning purposes, these options are clearly distinct: the trails offer exploration along a route, while the tower is a viewpoint with a set ascent.

Mooster and the History of Marnitz

Further afield in the region lies Mooster, an extensive, flat heath and moor landscape. It is considered part of a basin formed at the end of the Ice Age; the Sabelsee and Treptowsee are among its remnants.

The Marnitz weather station is another historical landmark. It was founded in 1864 by C. H. Tarnke, a teacher who lived in Marnitz at the time, and is one of the oldest weather stations in Mecklenburg. Unlike the archaeological sites, its founding date points to a later chapter in the town’s history, connected with weather observation.

Discover more destinations: Werder, Lübz, Gischow, Gallin-Kuppentin, Granzin, Passow, Suckow, Wahlstorf.

For the regional travel overview: Amt Eldenburg Lübz.