Zehna’s village church combines details from different centuries: wall paintings, a late Gothic carved altar, pulpit and organ stand alongside distinctive architectural features. In the district of Groß Breesen, the Berlin–Copenhagen cycle route and a gallery featuring arts and crafts offer further attractions; at Lake Breeser See in the municipal area, the focus is on observing nature. Zehna thus offers different ways to plan a trip combining local history, cycling and nature.
Zehna Village Church: Furnishings and Architectural History
Inside the village church are wall and vaulted-ceiling paintings dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The oldest furnishing is a granite baptismal font from the 13th century. The late Gothic carved altar dates from the 16th century: in the central shrine, it depicts the Madonna between four saints, including Saint Christopher; the wings depict the twelve Apostles. Together, these works give the church’s furnishings a historical depth that can be read in individual objects.
The organ also has a history spanning several phases of construction. Only the façade remains of the small Baroque organ built in 1689. The instrument itself was built in 1919 by Paul Rother in Hamburg as Opus 170. The twin windows in the nave and choir contain stained glass from the Hamburg workshop of the Kuball brothers. The wooden pulpit bears the year 1615; it also carries the names of its donors, above all the Büter family. An epitaph in the choir, dated 1564, is dedicated to Mathias Passow, who held hereditary estates in Zehna.
The architecture also features several distinctive forms. The massive tower’s ground floor, as wide as the nave, served as part of a fortified church. The east end features a slightly stepped group of three windows and an east gable with numerous plaster panels and a gable cross. The north sacristy, decorated with panels, dates from the period when the church was built. Later additions include the brick entrance porch on the south side and the slightly set-back square tower section: it is now plastered and topped with a pointed brick pyramidal spire and a bronze bell bearing a majuscule inscription. The churchyard is laid out as a cemetery; its eastern entrance passes through a wrought-iron gate with brick pillars.
Groß Breesen: Cycling Route and Arts and Crafts
The European Berlin–Copenhagen cycle route passes through Groß Breesen, a district of Zehna. This makes the route a practical point of interest for cyclists who want to include the district in their plans. In Groß Breesen, a small café and the gallery of artist couple Susanne and Jörg Mücket bring together art and refreshments. Visitors can discover porcelain decorated with graphic designs, ceramics with oxblood-red glaze, one-of-a-kind jewellery made from silver, porcelain and gemstones, and double-walled ceramic tobacco pipes. The works combine different materials and craft techniques in one place. It is advisable to check the café and gallery’s current opening hours before visiting.
Lake Breeser See and Observing Nature
Lake Breeser See lies within the municipal area and is the most important part of the nature reserve of the same name. A 2019 environmental assessment highlights the considerable ornithological importance of its extensive reed belt. The nature reserve can be observed from a viewing platform. The lake offers a different focus from the village church’s architectural and artistic history: here, the emphasis is on the landscape and birdwatching. When planning a trip to Zehna, visitors can therefore take account of different interests, from cultural discoveries and cycling to observing nature.
Discover more destinations: Kuhs, Lohmen, Gutow, Plaaz, Sarmstorf, Reimershagen, Glasewitz, Lüssow.
Go to the broader travel overview: Amt Güstrow-Land.
