Discover Bützow: Brick Gothic, the Warnow and the miniature town
Accommodation in Bützow
Bützow combines historic buildings with experiences on the Warnow and an unusual miniature town. The town is ideal for a trip where you can discover the history of the old town, take a circular cycling tour or experience a stretch of the Warnow from a boat. Which of these aspects interests you most can also shape your choice of destination and holiday apartment.
Brick Gothic, the town hall and local history
Bützow Collegiate Church dates from the 13th century and is the oldest building in the town. It was built as a three-aisled hall church in the Brick Gothic style. It is also a monument of national importance and part of the European Route of Brick Gothic. Anyone interested in medieval architecture will find here a defining focus of Bützow’s history.
Another architectural highlight awaits you in the old town’s market square: the town hall stands right there, built in the Tudor Gothic style. In front of the town hall, the Goose Fountain commemorates the Bützow Goose War. The name refers to a small citizens’ revolt against a magistrate’s decree that was intended to ban geese from roaming freely in the town. The Krumme Haus takes you further back in history: it is one of Bützow’s oldest buildings and was built in the 15th century as part of the episcopal castle complex. The watermill is also part of the town’s historic character; it is a monument to 19th-century industrial architecture.
Exploring the Warnow and its banks
From May to September, the electric motor vessel “Warnowlöper” is available for boat trips between Bützow and Schwaan. A stretch of the Warnow used for these trips is designated as the “Warnow Valley with Small Tributaries” Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is open to low-impact tourism. On a water tour, Bützow, Sternberg and Schwaan invite you to stop and explore. A boat trip offers a different perspective on the region from a day devoted mainly to the town’s buildings.
Bützow is also a possible starting point for cycling tours: circular routes are the most common in the region, and some of them start in Bützow, among other places. If you would rather spend your holiday days actively than on a single sightseeing visit, you can include this type of tour in your plans. The Citizens’ and Tourism Office also arranges boat trips on the Warnow, as well as boat and bicycle rentals; it also arranges guided tours of the historic old town and excursions into the region.
A miniature town, parkland and a glimpse into the workshop
Another Bützow highlight is the miniature town. Set in a 3-hectare park, it features around 145 faithfully reproduced historic buildings from 1850 to 1900 at a scale of 1:10. The grounds also include a wetland biotope, sculptures and an adventure playground. Alongside the scale models, visitors will find natural features and play areas. A workshop visit offers a chance to see how the intricate details of the miniature buildings are recreated.
The Citizens’ and Tourism Office also arranges visits to the miniature town. When planning your trip, you can choose between a tour of historic buildings, a look at detailed replicas and an excursion on the Warnow. The watermill adds an example of industrial architecture to the range of options. Its preserved complex stands beside the Warnow, to the left of Bützow harbour. The mill building and one of its two waterwheels have been preserved.
Getting your bearings during your stay
Bützow’s sights are easy to explore on foot from the lively town centre. At the old Bützow harbour in the town centre, parking is free and there is no time limit; two bus parking spaces are also available there. These landmarks can help you plan your town visits and possible excursions.
When choosing a holiday apartment, it is worth first considering the kind of stay you want: would you mainly like to explore the old town and its architectural history, are you interested in the seasonal boat service between Bützow and Schwaan, or would you like to include a cycling tour in your days? Bützow brings together these different interests, so you do not have to limit your trip to just one theme. If you would like to combine several activities, you can ask the Citizens’ and Tourism Office in advance about the guided tours, visits and rental services it arranges.
More destinations: Jürgenshagen, Rühn, Warnow, Tarnow, Bernitt, Baumgarten, Klein Belitz, Penzin.
For the overview of the wider area: Amt Bützow-Land.
