A former half-timbered church dating from 1593, coats of arms with an unusual former use, and a bathing area with several types of underwater terrain give you specific points of interest for a stay in Gorschendorf. When planning your visit, you can focus on church history or water-based activities; for the Moorbauer, access from the water is essential.
Church history and an unusual detail
The former church in Gorschendorf was built using half-timbering in 1593. The church in Gorschendorf was rebuilt and consecrated in 1901. The consecration took place on 14 July 1901 in the presence of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV.
Inside are small coats of arms belonging to the Moltke, Klitzing, Blücher and Wickede families. They originally served as decoration for coffins. Thus, alongside the clearly dated stages of construction, the former use of these coats of arms is also a focus of the church’s history.
In 2015, summer services, occasional concerts and a Christmas Eve service were held in the village’s neo-Gothic church. If you plan to travel to Gorschendorf for a service or concert, check the latest dates in advance.
Bathing area and water access to the Moorbauer
The bathing area on Lake Kummerow near Gorschendorf has a sandy bottom in the bathing zone. At the same time, there are aquatic plants as well as silty or boggy areas. If you plan to stop for a swim, do not assume that the bottom is sandy throughout.
The Moorbauer restaurant is located in a bog on the Peene Canal between Lake Kummerow and Lake Malchin. Its access arrangements are particularly important for planning: the Moorbauer can only be reached from the water. On the canoe section of the Peene, there are ferry and boat landing stages at the Moorbauer, in a left-hand side channel near Gorschendorf. They can be used for a break or to launch and take out boats.
If you do not have your own boat, the Forelle passenger boat or the operator’s swan-shaped pedal boats, which depart from the opposite bank, are also options. These transport services may operate seasonally, so check in advance whether your preferred option is currently available.
Culture and planning in the wider destination of Malchin
Those who also explore the wider destination of Malchin will find other distinct cultural attractions there. St. John’s Church in Malchin is a typical example of North German Brick Gothic architecture. It has a Friese organ and a Marian altar dating from around 1430. The Friese III organ is one of a total of eight large Friese III organs in the region and the only one of them to have been preserved almost entirely in its original condition.
Malchin’s historic buildings also include the Kalensche Gate, one of the four gates in the former Malchin fortifications and the best-preserved gate in the town fortifications, as well as the Fangelturm. This six-storey brick defensive tower dates from the 15th century.
The local history museum in Malchin’s town mill has a permanent exhibition about Siegfried Marcus. Tours outside opening hours can be arranged; check the current arrangements before your visit. Malchin has a railway station on the Güstrow–Neubrandenburg railway line. Check the latest timetables in advance.
A cycling tour around Lake Kummerow can also be considered a separate activity in the wider destination of Malchin: it begins at Malchin station and from there passes through one of the historic town gates into the old town. For the latest route details, consult the route provider’s information.
Discover more destinations: Faulenrost, Basedow, Duckow, Malchin, Neukalen, Kummerow, Gielow.
See the wider travel overview: Amt Malchin Am Kummerower See.
