Zichow: Church, Castle and Forest

Church and Castle: Building History in Zichow

Zichow Church is a 13th-century building. Its tower has a rectangular cross-section, and the nave is just as wide; a narrower rectangular chancel adjoins it. Inside is a wooden crucifix from the 16th century. Two of the bells date from the 14th and 15th centuries. The church thus brings together different historical features: the medieval building, bells from two centuries and the crucifix, which was made later.

Zichow Castle was built in the Baroque style in 1745. A visible remnant of the old castle complex is the Fangerturm, dating from the 13th century. The different periods of construction make the castle and tower a striking contrast: the Baroque building stands alongside part of the older castle complex. Together with the newly laid-out park, the castle is at the heart of the village’s cultural life each year. The castle itself is awaiting a new use.

Woodland Scenery and Views from the Mill

The Zichower Wald - Weinberg Special Area of Conservation (DE 2750-304) covers approximately 129.1 hectares. It is located northeast of Berlin in the Uckermark district and in the municipalities of Zichow and Gramzow. Along with the Zehnebecker Forest to the north, the Zichow Forest is the only larger woodland area in these farmed surroundings. It consists of European beech, oak-hornbeam and alluvial forests. For your trip planning, this creates a local landscape contrast with the village’s buildings: here, different types of woodland and the agricultural surroundings shape the scenery.

Zichow Mill combines well-preserved milling technology with panoramic views over Zichow. During a visit, you can see the machinery and look out from the upper floor towards the castle and park, among other sights. The distant views extend into the Randow Valley, towards Schwedt and Poland, as well as to Gramzow and the surrounding area. This gives the mill a distinct character alongside the church and castle: the focus here is on technical insights and views over the village. Check in advance whether a visit is possible.

The Uckermark as a Broader Travel Destination

Beyond Zichow, the Uckermark provides its own regional setting for enjoying nature. Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park lies in the water-rich, gently rolling Uckermark and encompasses many clear-water lakes, kettle holes and wetlands. The nature park has more than 150 kilometres of water trails and over 600 kilometres of signposted hiking trails. These offer different ways to experience the Uckermark landscape: on the water or on foot.

The Gramzow Railway Museum is also among the cultural attractions in the wider Uckermark travel destination. It features historic railway vehicles from different periods, as well as exhibitions on track construction, workshop operations, railway operations and transport services. Technical installations can be seen outdoors and inside buildings. On operating days, the museum railway offers rides on historic railway vehicles; visitors can also drive rail trolleys themselves. This makes a visit to the museum different from seeing Zichow’s church and castle: the focus is on railway history, technology and activities on operating days.

For planning a holiday together, it is therefore worth first asking which experiences will be the deciding factor: Zichow’s buildings, the mill and local forest, or nature and cultural attractions elsewhere in the Uckermark as well. If you want to focus on Zichow itself, you can search specifically for a holiday apartment in Zichow. For a broader regional itinerary, choose your holiday destination based on the experiences that matter to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Randowtal, Boitzenburger Land, Uckerland, Oberuckersee, Prenzlau, Carmzow-Wallmow, Schwedt/Oder, Neuhof.

Go to the broader travel overview: Uckermark.