A land of lovely gardens

More than almost any other state, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is studded with castles, parks and gardens well worth a detour. Here we describe a few parks worth visiting in the Rostock area.

 
Basedow
The decorated Basedow estate (70 km south east of Rostock) is the most extensive landscape garden park between the Baltic and the Müritz. Lenné planned and supervised the landscaping around 1830, in which the location and surrounding area were taken into account.

Walkers experience impressive perspectives onto landscape and reconstructed castle façade. The park, including royal stables and church, is largely preserved and well-kept, and a café has been opened in the former sheepfold.

Schlitz Castle
Numerous commemorative stones, park architecture and an enchanting nymph fountain make Schlitz Castle (50 km south east) a romantic landscape park. The park was laid out at the start of the 19th century in the hilly reaches of the Mecklenburgische Schweiz, with a wide variety of trees. The Classicist castle (c. 1811), today a top-class hotel, sits enthroned in an idyllic setting at the highest point of the park.

Dargun
Impressive monastery ruins with the remnants of a royal castle - the most striking symbol of Dargun (60 km south east). Old yews and beech grove arbours remain from the former baroque garden structure. The teahouse (c. 1700), today with a room for marriage ceremonies, the town information is in the reconstructed west wing of the castle. The storehouse in the castle courtyard has been converted for exhibition purposes.

Ivenack
Ivenack (80 km south east) is famous for the 1,000-year-old oaks to be found in the nearby forest. Today, on the site of a former monastery, there is an important building ensemble with castle, chapel, royal stables, teahouse and orangery. The formerly baroque garden on Lake Ivenack, with rare trees and an ancient lime avenue, has changed in character over the years.

Ludwigslust
Ludwigslust (120 km south west) offers the largest castle estate in Mecklenburg. The original baroque park (late 18th century) was redesigned by Lenné in the mid 19th century. Attractive fountains and charming views in the well-kept complex of town, castle and grounds. Ludwigslust is an outstanding North German example of a new baroque royal seat.

Varchentin
The landscape park in Varchentin (80 km south east) was built around the Tudor style castle, Lenné's plans creating an English landscape park. The wide-ranging effect is given by well-proportioned lawns surrounded by expressive trees, and there are also attractive vistas of lake and castle.

Göldenitz
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can be experienced at a glance at Göldenitz "SehLand" (10 km south east). The model and landscape park shows the most famous sights in mini-format: Granitz hunting lodge on the isle of Rügen and Rostock's town hall, the Warnemünde lighthouse, windmills, town gates and impressive storehouses.