Street of the Romanesque of Havelberg to the monastery Jerichow - 2 days

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Havelberg on the street of Romanesque

The Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt


Enjoyment of art and a lot of history awaited us on the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt. Between Havelberg and Monastery Jerichow There are six churches from the Romanesque period. We visited four of them. This makes our trip to the Elb-Havel-Winkel a delight for art lovers and gourmets. The Butter and the preparation of the driver feast also contributed their part. How, you can discover that in the respective articles.

 

 

This route on the Romanesque Road in Sachsen-Anhalt is only a small section of this theme road. It is part of the European Romanesque Street, the Transromanica, Despite the short distance we get a good look at the Romanesque architecture of the region. The entire theme road includes places north and south of Magdeburg. The north route and the south route. The route between Havelberg and Jerichow Monastery belongs to the northern route. It runs along the Elbe from north to south. It astonished us that in the small towns along this section there is a cathedral and a magnificent monastery. A Map of the entire Romanesque street you can find under this link.

Romanesque road from Havelberg to Jerichow Monastery

Map courtesy of hiking log, a trip planner we iOS and Android

 

Havelberg Cathedral on the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt
Havelberg Cathedral on the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt

 

From Havelberg to Jerichow Monastery

The St. Marien Cathedral and the Prignitz Museum in Havelberg on the Romanesque Road

Our first stop on the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt surprised us. We did not expect a cathedral in the small towns along the Elbe. Of the St. Mary's Cathedral has dominated the cityscape from afar. It stands on the highest "mountain" in the village. This rises above the old town on the Havel Island.

We are also amazed by the two gentlemen who stand as life-size statues in front of the church building. Tsar Peter the Great and the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I met in the cathedral in 1716. At that time Peter the Great was on his Grand Tour through Europe. On this he visited castles and monasteries. There he also got ideas for the construction of his new capital, St. Petersburg. He brought one of the most famous gifts back to Russia from Havelberg. The Amber Room. The Prussian soldier king gave it to the tsar in exchange for soldiers, the so-called "long guys". His statue shows that Tsar Peter was also of considerable size. The Prussian king, on the other hand, appears chubby and small.

 

 

Hanseatic city Havelberg

From Bischofsberg we have a magnificent view of the Havel Island and the old town of Havelberg. Here we meet Antje Reichel, the director of the Prignitz Museum. She tells us the history of the city and the cathedral. Among other things, we learn that Havelberg is Hanseatic city. On the banks of the Havel once built seagoing ships, which were used in the triangular trade. They brought slaves from Africa, transported them to the Caribbean. There they loaded rum into their hulls and brought them back to Europe. There was also a captain who was not satisfied with the wages. Instead, he said goodbye to the ship and his clients and made as a pirate the seas of the world uncertain.

 

Havelberg on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt
Havelberg on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt

 

The Cathedral of St. Mary

Like a bulwark, the western building of the Havelberg Cathedral rises above us. It looks more like a defensive wall than a church tower. Antje Reichel tells us that he only houses the bells of the cathedral. The cathedral was built after the Wendenkreuzzug in the year 1147, in which Saxon, Danish and Polish princes moved against the Slavic Wends in the Elbe, Trave and Odergebiet. 1170 was inaugurated the cathedral. The gothic influences he owes to the reconstruction after a fire in the 13. Century. Shortly thereafter, the rood screen (the partition between the sanctuary and the rest of the church) and the choir gates were also created.

 

Lettner in the cathedral in Havelberg
Lettner in the cathedral in Havelberg

 

The choir stalls are among the oldest in Germany. Worth seeing are the two statues at the base of the left pillar at the high altar. One holds a wooden spoon in his hand and represents one of the lay brothers who served in the kitchen. The other on the back of the pedestal shows a Weinschenk. Also on the opposite side of the altar two figures can be seen on the pillar. However, they do not know who they are.

The Prignitz Museum

The buildings surrounding the cloister house the Prignitz Museum. This deals with the history of the cathedral as well as with the history of the city. There are also interesting changing exhibitions.

Prignitz Museum at the Dom Havelberg
Domplatz 3
39539 Havelberg

Opening hours:

1. April - 30. September
Tuesday Sunday
10 am - 12 pm and 13 pm - 18 pm

1. October to 31. March
Wednesday - Sunday
10 am - 12 pm and 13 pm - 17 pm

Where you can eat well in Havelberg

For lunch we recommend the Bilderbuchcafé, which is located in the old town of Havelberg. It is located on the Havel Island below the Domberg. There is a light brunch served. Homemade salmon with a honey - dill mustard sauce, potato fritters and salad buffalo is also on the menu as salads and cakes.

Picture Book Café
Markt 7
39539 Hanseatic city Havelberg

Do you like to travel by motorhome?

 

The church of Sandau on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt

Only five kilometers further south is the town of Sandau with its Romanesque church. The interior of the church is being renovated. In the sanctuary, the Romanesque architecture with its round arched windows is clearly visible. Striking is the simplicity of the church space.

 

The Elbe from the tower of the church in Sandau on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt
The Elbe river from the tower of the church of Sandau

 

The church tower was almost completely destroyed at the end of the Second World War. Its remains towered over the town for decades as a ruin. Meanwhile, the tower is completely rebuilt. In the process, the ruin was skilfully integrated into the new Westwerk. Visitors can easily see what the tower looked like a few years ago. In Petar's video about the Romanesque Road (see above) you can see that. Today there are various event and conference rooms in its interior. As long as the interior of the church is being renovated, one of these rooms is also used as a church space.

You shouldn't miss a visit to the church because of the grandiose view of the Elbe meadows from the top floor of the church tower. You can reach this floor via the newly built elevator. The church is open daily as a cyclist's church during the season from April to October.

Church in Sandau
Kirchberg
39524 Sandau (Elbe)

 

 

Our tip: see the Elb-Havel-Winkel from above

A very special treat we recommend on the way south. Shortly before Scharlibbe, a sign to the left of the road points to Scharlibbe Airport. There, Peter Richter restored aircraft. At the same time he is a flight instructor and offers sightseeing flights over the Elbe-Havel-Land. How beautiful this region is, opens up really from the air. But see for yourself in Petar's video:

If you want more adventurous, you can also skydiving. However, we took it easy and instead spent a night in one of the cozy log cabins that Peter Richter rents out. Away from the cities, in the middle of nature. Where we could watch a pack of eggs in the morning mist. And enjoyed a beautiful sunrise in the silence of the Elbe-Havel-Winkel. This is Slow Travel at its finest on the Romanesque Road.

Mobile Air
39524 Klietz scarlet

 

What do you need for a hike on the Elbe?

  • There are good opportunities for hiking in this region on the Elbe. Hence are comfortable walking shoes  are essential.
  • So it's worth it to have one backpack to pack. What you for a Picnic you can find here.
  • There are many hiking opportunities and bike paths in the region. This Map* and Travel Guide* help with orientation.

If you purchase via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

 

Eat well in the Elbe Havel brewery in Schollene

If you are hungry after the flight over the Elbe, we recommend a trip to Schollene. There you can not only eat well in the Elbe-Havel brewery, but by agreement you can even participate in the beer brewing. There are also guided tours. There was no time to brew in our tight schedule. We enjoyed the food all the more. A selection of local dishes makes the selection on the menu interesting.

Map

Enjoy in Klietz

Only about 12 kilometers east is the place Klietz. in the Land-gut-Hotel Lake View * can you stay overnight? We were allowed to take a look behind the scenes as kitchen spies. With the chef we prepared one autumnal driving pleasure to. But otherwise you can eat well there. We stayed in the new guest house, an outbuilding with modern equipped rooms.

In the Klietzer Hofmuseum you can show by Mrs. Läufer how one used to live in the village. We watched how she makes butter from milk, An arduous job, but the result is impressive.

After all the culinary experiences, a little exercise is good. In Klietz, the bat path through the nature reserve is ideal. The path begins at Dammstraße diagonally opposite the Glaser bakery (Map). On well-developed trails it goes - depending on your choice - almost 1,5 km or 7,5 km through deciduous forest. Along the route you will find information boards and explanations of the seven types of field mouse that occur in this region.

 

 

The birthplace of Otto von Bismarck in Schönhausen on the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt

Our journey continues along the Romanesque Road to Schönhausen. The village church of St. Marien und Willebrord cannot be overlooked because of its fortified tower. It is one of the best preserved Romanesque churches on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Stop. The church is closely associated with the von Bismarck family, who are remembered in the museum next door. It is housed in the former gatehouse of Schönhausen Palace. Of the castle itself, you can only see the foundation walls and some remains of the wall on the rear wall of the museum.

 

St. Marien and Willibrord in Schönhausen
St. Marien and Willibrord in Schönhausen

 

There used to be two castles in Schönhausen, both of which were built by the Bismarcks. Prince Otto von Bismarck was born in one of them. He was baptized in the church of St. Marien und Willebrord. Bismarck spent his youth elsewhere, but he kept returning to Schönhausen. After the death of his father, Otto von Bismarck took over the position of dikemaster in Jerichow. Shortly afterwards his political career began under Kaiser Wilhelm I.

His birthplace no longer exists today. The GDR government let it blow up 1958. Only the foundations are left over. The former castle park is still present.

Jerichow Monastery on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt

At the end of our 2-day tour along the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt, a highlight of Romanesque architecture awaits us. in the Monastery Jerichow the Romanesque building structure is clearly recognizable. Round arches, columns, pillars and vault forms have perfect Romanesque forms. Capitals are great. Geometric friezes adorn the outer walls of the monastery building.

 

Nave in Jerichow Monastery on the Romanesque Road in Saxony Anhalt
Nave in Jerichow Monastery

 

The monks of the Premonstratensian Order erected the brick church of the monastery from 1149 to 1240. The bricks made for it locally. The Premonstratensians administered the monastery until 1552. Then the Reformation ended Luther's monastic life on the monastery grounds. Since 1685, the church has served as a church for a Reformed parish.

This has been extensively restored over the past two centuries. Visitors can now inform themselves about crops in the monastery garden. The brick museum shows how the building material for the monastery church was made. In the dormitory there is a permanent exhibition about the monastic history.

Where do you eat well in Jerichow?

We have dinner in the Heinemann inn. Do not get confused by the name "Confectionery and Coffee Behrens" that still stands above the entrance. The inn is run by a young landlady who grew up in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The inn is decorated with a great sense of style. Here you can eat in a pleasant atmosphere. The menu offers regional cuisine. Seasoned meat (ragout fin), pikeperch from the Elbe and other specialties are served here.

Inn Heinemann
Linden street 1
39319 Jerichow

Stay overnight in Jerichow

In Landhof Liebsch we spent a night in the Bismarck room. The farm is located in the neighboring village of Steinitz, about 4 kilometers from Jerichow Abbey. The former farm is restored with love. Guests sleep in themed rooms furnished with period furniture. We stayed in the Bismarck room. We especially liked the friendliness of the hosts, with whom we were received. The breakfast in the morning was in the conservatory overlooking the courtyard, which represents a small oasis with art and greenery.

 

 

 

Are you looking for more inspiration?


Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

How to get there

Arrival by plane, bus or train*. The nearest airport is Berlin Tegel. From there you take the train to the Elb-Havel-Winkel. Alternatively, you can travel by car or bike.

A delightful way to explore this region is the Elberadweg.

Car Rentals:

Cheap car hire - book here! *


The Romanesque Road
Click on the photo and then save “Romanesque Street” on Pinterest.

 

Do you know this?

 

By the way: Further suggestions for Vacation in Germany by car you can find it here, for example.

 

Other Food Travel There's also here. Slow Traveler find more suggestions here.

Source: own research on site. We would definitely like to thank them Leader action group Elb-Havel-Winkel for the friendly support of this press trip. Our opinion, however, remains our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline

 

Street of the Romanesque of Havelberg to the monastery Jerichow - 2 days

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.

16 thoughts too "Street of the Romanesque of Havelberg to the monastery Jerichow - 2 days"

  1. The road of romance would be just right for us. Great article with good tips. The monastery Jerichow I find particularly interesting. I've heard a lot about the Havelberg but never managed to visit it. Maybe it will work next year.
    Best regards, Selda

    1. Dear Selda,

      If you like Romanesque architecture, Jerichow Monastery will surely please you. I have never seen a Romanesque building, in which the Romanesque style elements are so well preserved. Of course, it is restored, but with a great sense of the original.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  2. An article to my taste. I would like to go down the North and South routes and look at it. So far, we have been scattered churches and monasteries.
    I will remember the article right away.

    Lg Miriam

    1. Dear Miriam,

      I am very happy if I have inspired you on a tour along the Romanesque Road. We loved the Romanesque churches. There are not many of those in southern Germany. That's why they are all the more interesting to us.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  3. How nice that you abduct me in unknown areas of Germany. Like Barbara, I first had to google for orientation. ;)
    A very nice contribution - as always off the mainstream: great!
    Best regards,
    Julie from julie-en-voyage.com

    1. Dear Julie,

      There is a lot to discover - not only in Germany. It is often the hidden places that offer surprises. We are not lovers of mass tourism, but we prefer to find places that are not so well known. We often discover true treasures.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  4. As always very informative and with great photos! And the great videos, I love them! But you can not stay overnight in Jerichow Abbey, right? LG Marina

    1. Dear Marina,

      Thank you very much for this great comment. We are very happy if you like our posts. I am happy to pass on the compliment for the videos to Petar. The videos are his job: D. You can also spend the night in Jerichow Monastery.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  5. I have to admit - I've never heard of any of these little towns, not even the Romanesque Street. I had to google where it is ;-). But all the more attractive when traveling on such significant historical routes! Barbara

    1. Dear Barbara,

      that was similar. The places were not known to us until our trip. We were all the more surprised by the buildings we discovered there.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  6. Dear Monika, dear Petar,
    that looks great! The road of romance seems to keep what it promises. So far I had not heard of it. Especially great is the video with the view from above!
    Best regards,
    Ines

    1. Dear Ines,

      The Romanesque street is very different from the Romantic Street. It is also somewhere else. On the Romanesque Street you will find buildings - mostly churches and monasteries - in Romanesque style. It runs through the whole of Europe: http://www.transromanica.com/de/regions/, I'm glad if you like our video. I would like to pass on the compliment to Petar, who shot it.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  7. Dear Monika,
    Germany has really many beautiful places and if you take me on a journey into my childhood - because the poem of Mr. Ribbeck on Ribbeck in the Havelland, was a constant companion with every pear I ate. And always with a smile on my face :-)
    I'll take a look from where to where exactly the Romantic Road leads.
    Best regards, Katja

    1. Dear Katja,

      the Romanesque street is not confused with the Romantic Road: D. It is completely different and has a completely different ambience. The Romanesque Route runs through the whole of Europe. That's certainly a lot to discover. I did not know them before our trip to the region. But it is - especially for architecture lovers - highly interesting.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  8. I find it exciting again and again, what you for - at least me - unknown travel regions in Germany from the hat! I've never heard of Transromanica, but your article makes me want to get more involved with it. LG Julia

    1. Dear Julia,

      Germany really offers an incredible number of interesting travel destinations. Until a few years ago, traveling within Germany was of no interest to us. Traveling almost always meant long-haul travel by plane or boat. Since we have been looking for Slow Travel destinations, we are discovering more and more such travel regions within Germany. But you find similar destinations in Italy, I have the impression.

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