Discover Suckow: Village Church, Ruhner Mountains and Regional History

Local History and Visible Culture

Suckow was first mentioned in a document in 1328 under the name “Sucowe”. The history of the village is also shaped by its former division: since the Middle Ages, Suckow was divided between Mecklenburg and Brandenburg. Until the 20th century, there was therefore a municipality called Suckow both in the Mecklenburg district of Parchim and in the Brandenburg district of Ostprignitz.

A prominent cultural point of reference is the village church near the B321. Surrounded by a fieldstone wall, the hall church is made of fieldstone; the church building and the church cemetery are visible from the road. Inside is a Neo-Gothic altarpiece depicting the Crucifixion, created by the artist Thomas Fischer in 1867. The origins of the church may date back to the 14th century, while the present building is attributed to the second quarter of the 16th century. A beam dated 1588 is associated with the church tower and may indicate that it was added to the previously towerless building around 1587.

The culture of remembrance is also part of the villagescape. Near the intersection of Schulstraße and Dorfstraße, a red brick memorial stone commemorates the death march of prisoners from Sachsenhausen concentration camp in April 1945. In addition, a large black dog features in several traditional legends passed down from Suckow. These different traces make the village interesting for travellers who want to discover regional history not only through dates, but also through visible signs and stories.

Ruhner Mountains, Walking Trails and Excursions

The Chestnut Avenue from Suckow towards Mentin is approximately 1 kilometre long and invites visitors to take a walk among its beautiful trees. East of Suckow, the landscape of the Ruhner Mountains has been designated a protected landscape area since 1994. The nature trail there uses information boards and 23 labelled glacial erratic boulders to explain the origins of the landscape and its former uses. This makes it possible to combine a short walk in the village with an activity focused more strongly on the history of the landscape when planning a trip with different daily rhythms.

The Ruhner Tower is another feature of the region’s excursion options. Its viewing platform is 32.5 metres high, accessible via more than 180 steps, and offers views across Mecklenburg and Brandenburg. The Slavic hillfort of the Ruhner Mountains is also located near Suckow; despite being more than 1,100 years old, it is a very well-preserved archaeological monument. Its outer diameter is up to 70 metres, and the rampart is approximately three metres high. Also nearby is the Something Great Arts Centre in the outbuildings of Mentin Castle, which focuses on contemporary dance and performance.

Further highlights include the “Alpaka und Lama Ranch Ruhner Berge” experience farm run by the Köllner family in the Suckow district and cycling route 1. This route runs from Marnitz via Ruhner Berg, Griebow, Mentin and Suckow back to Marnitz. Those wishing to travel by bicycle can therefore incorporate Suckow into a regional circular route; those who prefer to stay in the village will find a more compact selection with the church, Chestnut Avenue and the historical points of reference.

The Right Accommodation Idea for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Suckow, it is worth deciding in advance what you would like to focus on. If you want to combine local history with short distances to distinctive sights, the village church, memorial stone and Chestnut Avenue should be at the centre of your planning. For a trip with a stronger focus on the landscape, you can also include the Ruhner Mountains, the nature trail, the Ruhner Tower or the Slavic hillfort.

Further Village Pages for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also view the village pages Gallin-Kuppentin, Kreien, Lübz, Gischow, Marnitz, Kritzow, Granzin and Werder.

For the broader travel overview: Amt Eldenburg Lübz.