Wöbbelin: Memorial Sites and Theodor Körner

Commemorating the Camp and Its Victims

Around 160 of the more than 1,000 people who died at the concentration camp reception camp near Wöbbelin are buried on the grounds of the memorial sites, where Theodor Körner was laid to rest. The cemetery east of the village church is also a place of remembrance: it contains Körner’s grave as well as a memorial to the former Wöbbelin concentration camp nearby. These two places bring different aspects of the village’s history to light. Visitors can take time to remember the camp and visit the poet’s grave.

The history of the satellite camp is also covered in the documentary exhibition “Ten Weeks at the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp Satellite Camp,” presented by the memorial sites. The title focuses on a clearly defined period in the camp’s history. For families, it may be helpful to discuss beforehand which topics they would like to address and whether to focus on this exhibition or explore other historical perspectives as well.

Theodor Körner at the Museum and in the Exhibition

The Theodor Körner Museum in Wöbbelin commemorates the poet and freedom fighter and uses an exhibition to illustrate his life and work. The memorial sites also offer an exhibition about Körner: “Theodor Körner (1791–1813). Poet and Patriot. His Rise to Iconic Status.” The name Körner thus appears at several places in Wöbbelin, each in a different context. The building that now houses the memorial sites was originally erected to honor the patriotic poet. This historical dedication and the exhibitions’ current themes give the site an additional perspective, distinct from the history of the camp.

If you are interested in literary and cultural history, you can make the museum and the Körner exhibition the focus of your visit. The documentary exhibition about the satellite camp covers a different subject; together, these offerings provide a broader engagement with Wöbbelin’s past. Guided tours are offered especially for school groups and can also be arranged outside opening hours by prior agreement. This gives groups a practical way to include a guided tour in their visit.

Directions and Getting There

The exhibition at the memorial sites is located right in the village of Wöbbelin on Federal Highway 106, Ludwigsluster Straße, at the junction for Neustadt-Glewe. Buses from Ludwigslust and Neustadt-Glewe serve the memorial site. This information can help you factor your visit into your travel plans without losing sight of the exhibitions’ different themes. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether Wöbbelin’s places of remembrance will be the main focus of your stay or whether you would prefer to take the bus from one of the towns mentioned.

Another memorial site is located near your destination, in a forest close to Lüblow, directly on the B 106. In the Theodor Körner Park at this memorial site stands a sandstone relief by Jo Jastram. This place adds a work of art and a memorial site of its own to the historical points of interest around Wöbbelin. If you would like to explore the area’s history and culture of remembrance, you can include this detail in deciding what to visit.

More Places to Explore

The pages for Lübesse, Uelitz, Sülstorf, Lüblow, Bresegard Bei Eldena, Leussow, Alt Krenzlin and Göhlen are also available to help you plan your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Amt Ludwigslust-Land.