Steinhöfel – Landscape Park and Village History

An English-style landscape park, a historic ensemble laid out as a whole, and a village church with features dating from several centuries shape Steinhöfel. Those interested in garden design and architectural history will find several reasons to get to know the village. Two routes also pass through Steinhöfel, offering another perspective for planning your trip.

A landscape park of particular significance

Steinhöfel Palace Park was created from around 1790 and covers more than 40 hectares. It is among the oldest landscape parks in the Mark Brandenburg and, by size, one of the most significant. It is also considered the first English-style landscape garden in the entire Mark Brandenburg. Its scale and design are two distinctive aspects of its history: the area conveys the size of the grounds, while the English style describes its place in the history of garden design. The park may therefore be an important reason for you to consider Steinhöfel for a trip if landscape gardens are among your interests.

An ensemble planned as a whole

The history of the park is connected with the creation of other parts of Steinhöfel. From 1790, the von Massow family had Steinhöfel Palace, the extensive park, the village green, the district office building and several houses laid out as a unified whole. They commissioned the architects and master builders David and Friedrich Gilly to undertake this work. The palace, green spaces and the other elements of the village mentioned here are thus part of a shared historical plan. This sets Steinhöfel apart from a destination whose appeal lies solely in a single attraction: here, you can trace the development of a village ensemble planned as a whole.

The village church and its unusual details

Steinhöfel Village Church also tells its story through several building phases. The plastered fieldstone structure includes features from different centuries: the choir dates from the second half of the 13th century, while the nave and tower date from the 14th and 15th centuries, respectively. The wooden upper structure dates from 1778. The church also contains an elaborately painted patron’s box, now restored. Balthasar Dietloff von Wulffen and Louise von Beerfelde donated it around 1720/30. The different dates of construction and the box give you specific points of interest if you are interested in the architectural history and interior furnishings of a village church. Keys for visiting the church are available from Brigitte Türk, Ulrich Voigt or Burkhard Schmidt.

Another unusual design awaits you at the library in the palace park: it is designed as a Greek temple. It was built above the cellars and foundations of two older farm buildings. The combination of the temple form and the remains of earlier buildings makes it a subject in its own right, alongside the history of the palace, park and village church. If you enjoy discovering different architectural details when travelling, you can explore these buildings as another facet of Steinhöfel.

Routes and art in Steinhöfel

The Oderbruchbahn cycle route passes through Steinhöfel, as does the Märkische Schlössertour (Marches Castle Tour). Both routes offer a specific point of reference for visitors planning their trip around a cycle route or castle tour. The LandKunstLeben Steinhöfel e. V. association is based in the neighbouring former palace nursery and organises art events and activities there with international participants. Cultural activities thus complement the village’s historical and scenic appeal.

Choose Steinhöfel as your destination

Whether you are most interested in the landscape park, the ensemble planned as a whole, the architectural history of the village church or the routes that pass through Steinhöfel, these highlights give you a concrete basis for deciding whether the village is right for your trip. If you are looking for an apartment or holiday home in Steinhöfel, you can first consider which of these aspects you are most interested in during your stay.

Discover more places

As you continue your search, you can also explore Storkow, Müllrose, Brieskow-Finkenheerd, Werder, Beeskow, Schlaubetal, Friedland and Jacobsdorf.

For the regional travel overview: Oder-Spree.