Güstrow: Castle, Art and Wildlife
Accommodation in Güstrow
Güstrow has many facets, from Güstrow Castle and the art of Ernst Barlach to unusual wildlife experiences. There are also nativity scenes from around the world and a nature aquarium featuring native fish species. When planning your visit, you can therefore focus on the experiences that interest you most: cultural history, art, wildlife watching or a public guided tour of the historic old town.
Renaissance, Barlach and Nativity Scenes
Güstrow Castle is one of the most significant Renaissance castles in northern Europe. For travelers interested in Renaissance architecture and cultural history, it is a defining part of Güstrow’s character. The studio house of Ernst Barlach, close to Güstrow’s Inselsee, offers another way to engage with art. To this day, the house preserves traces of the sculptor, graphic artist and writer.
A comprehensive permanent exhibition at the studio house explores Barlach’s life and work. It spans everything from his first plaster models to his finished wooden sculptures and bronze works. This progression makes different stages of the creative process and forms of work a focus of the exhibition. A sculpture by the artist can also be seen in Güstrow Cathedral: “The Floating One.”
The North German Nativity Museum offers a distinct cultural focus. Nativity scenes from around the world are on display year-round, and the collection comprises around 700 scenes from every continent. Its subject matter is therefore quite different from that of Renaissance art and sculpture. If you would like to include culture in your stay, you can choose your own focus from architecture, Barlach’s work and the international nativity scene collection.
Wildlife Watching and the Nature Aquarium
Wolves, bears, lynxes and wildcats live in Wildpark-MV’s five-hectare predator habitat. The route through the enclosure is specially designed, too: visitors reach the animals through underground tunnels and along climbing paths through the treetops. The experience centers not only on the animal species but also on the unusual route through the habitat.
The AQUA Tunnel offers a different way to experience nature. It is the largest nature aquarium in the north and is home to more than 15 native fish species. Animal lovers can therefore explore a range of topics: large predators and their habitats at Wildpark-MV, as well as native fish in the aquarium. You can include these interests alongside the cultural attractions when planning your visit, without having to choose just one focus.
Explore Güstrow at Your Own Pace
Public guided tours of Güstrow’s historic old town start at 11:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Güstrow Tourist Information Office. If you would like to explore the old town on a guided tour, you can include this starting point and the listed days in your daily plans. The set start time makes it easy to plan; no further details about the duration or itinerary are provided.
If you would like to view more pages about nearby places: Kowalz, Amt Bützow-Land, Rostock, Amt Mecklenburgische Schweiz, Amt Rostocker Heide, Kröpelin, Amt Krakow Am See and Gubkow.
Go to the main travel overview: Rostock.
