Visitors choosing Petersdorf as a destination will find a variety of attractions: a church with notable furnishings, a historic windmill, a cultural hub, a bathing area and an annual festival. St. Johannis Church combines architectural history with a special maritime connection: its tall tower served as a daytime landmark for ships in the Belt and Sund. At the bathing area, by contrast, the focus is on the shallow natural sandy beach and sandbanks. These themes offer different starting points when choosing where to stay, depending on whether culture, events or time by the water matter most.
St. Johannis Church: Architecture and furnishings
St. Johannis Church dates from the 13th century. Its 64-metre-high tower can be seen up to 20 miles out to sea and served as a daytime landmark for ships in the Belt and Sund. The church and adjoining cemetery are surrounded by 64 lime trees.
Inside the church, visitors can see a particularly valuable 15th-century altar shrine, an old Gotland limestone baptismal font and a Gothic triptych from the 14th century. The triptych is considered a major work of Gothic woodcarving and ornamental carving. The furnishings thus span several centuries of architectural and artistic history: the church building of the 13th century is followed by the dated altars of the 14th and 15th centuries. Those interested in sacred art will find more here than a single historic architectural feature.
The church as part of the Fehmarn church tour
Petersdorf is part of the 41-kilometre church tour on Fehmarn. The cycling route visits four historic churches in Landkirchen, Burg, Bannesdorf and Petersdorf, which are open to visitors. This makes it possible to distinguish a visit focused on St. Johannis Church from a tour that brings together several island churches under one theme. Petersdorf Church offers specific points of interest: its tower, visible from far away, its maritime role as a daytime landmark and its interior furnishings. The other stops extend the theme to the three places named, without diminishing the importance of the church in Petersdorf.
Windmill and cultural hub
Südermühle is a Dutch-style windmill built in 1893. Together with St. Johannis Church, it brings two distinct historic buildings into focus: the church’s notable features reflect medieval architectural and artistic history, while the mill is distinguished by its design and year of construction.
Alte Schule Petersdorf is a cultural hub on the island. It regularly hosts courses, meet-ups and a wide range of events. This adds a cultural offering to the historic sights, one that is not limited to buildings. If you plan to visit Petersdorf for a course, meet-up or event, it is advisable to check the specific dates in advance.
Bathing area with a shallow sandy beach
The bathing area at Petersdorf, Fehmarn, has a long, shallow natural sandy beach with dunes. The shallow sandbanks are suitable for swimming and snorkelling. Here, the focus is on the character of the beach rather than the features of a historic building. The distinction is useful when making your choice: St. Johannis Church offers architectural and artistic history, while the bathing area, with its sandy beach, dunes and sandbanks, invites you to spend time by the water.
Rape Blossom Festival and finding your way around Petersdorf
The Rape Blossom Festival is held in Petersdorf every year. When the rapeseed fields bloom in May, the village celebrates for three days with music, performers and numerous stalls. The festival also includes the crowning of the new Rape Blossom Queen and Rape Blossom Princess. If you are planning a visit specifically for the festival, it is a good idea to check the exact dates in advance. That way, you can plan your trip around this recurring annual event rather than assuming that any stay in May will coincide with the festival.
For local information, Petersdorf has an information point that is open around the clock and provides free informational materials. This practical resource complements the village’s different attractions: architectural history, cultural activities, the beach and the festival offer reasons to visit, while the information point provides materials to help you find your way around.
Discover more destinations: Wulfen, Lemkendorf, Katharinenhof, Presen, Sulsdorf, Meeschendorf, Bannesdorf, Altjellingsdorf
Go to the main travel overview: Fehmarn.
