Börgerende-Rethwisch combines a natural beach with a village church whose furnishings date back to the Late Gothic period. The village borders the Conventer Niederung nature reserve directly. This makes it easy to combine the beach and coastal paths with insights into local history. The beach alternates between wide stretches of sand and narrower, stony sections, so the surface is not the same everywhere.
Natural Beach and Coastal Paths
To the west, the Jemnitz sluice marks the boundary of Börgerende’s natural beach; to the east lies the Nienhagen Ghost Forest. Seestraße also helps orient you to the landscape: it runs along the edge of the nature reserve around Lake Conventer.
A popular hiking trail leads east from Börgerende along the steep coast to the Ghost Forest in the seaside resort of Nienhagen. Cycling tours focus on other destinations: one circular route runs from Börgerende-Rethwisch to Nienhagen, while another goes via Bad Doberan to Heiligendamm. The options therefore vary according to mode of travel and route, from a footpath along the steep coast to the destinations on the cycling loops mentioned above.
Fishing is possible in Börgerende-Rethwisch, and the village also has a boat rental service. Another leisure option is the 12-hole miniature golf course.
Village Church and Local History
Rethwisch Village Church is a three-aisled, three-bay hall church and an example of North German Brick Gothic architecture. “Three-aisled” and “three-bay” describe the layout of the hall, while Brick Gothic refers to its architectural style. The central shrine of a valuable winged altarpiece features a Crucifixion scene dating from 1530. A Late Gothic triumphal cross is mounted on the north wall. The richly decorated pulpit, in the auricular and cartilaginous style, was made of oak by a Rostock artist in 1666.
The Börgerende-Rethwisch local history museum offers insights into the community’s 700-year history, traditional local crafts and agriculture. Visitors can view historic machinery and agricultural objects in the adjacent outdoor area. Guided tours and additional opening hours are available by arrangement; please confirm the arrangements before you arrive.
The Börgerende-Rethwisch Tourist Information Office provides information about cultural events and leisure activities and sells cycling and hiking maps. This can help with planning if you would like to include events or other leisure options in addition to the beach and paths.
Further Historical Landmarks
One of the last GDR border guard watchtowers stands on the dike in Börgerende. The Jemnitz sluice, which is still in existence today, is also located near Börgerende. It was built in 1880/82 following the storm surge of 12–15 November 1872. The watchtower and the sluice represent different chapters in the history of the coast: the former recalls GDR border security, while the latter dates to the period after the 19th-century storm surge.
When choosing accommodation, consider what you would like to focus on during your stay: the beach and coastal paths, or architecture, the museum and historic sites. If you would like to include a guided museum tour in your plans, arrange it in advance.
Discover more destinations: Reddelich, Hohenfelde, Nienhagen, Bartenshagen-Parkentin, Admannshagen-Bargeshagen, Wittenbeck, Retschow, Heiligendamm.
For the wider travel overview: Amt Bad Doberan-Land.
