The best cycling routes around Gültz

The castle is the only largely preserved lowland castle in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It was built in the mid-13th century (around 1240/1250, first mention often linked to 1231 or 1331) as a Pomeranian border castle on an alluvial sand island at the confluence of the Tollense and Landgraben rivers – in the middle of a marshy glacial valley. It belonged to a series of fortifications that protected the crossings over the Tollense. From the 14th century onwards, the von Heydebreck (also Heydebeck) family resided here. Joachim I and especially his son Heinrich IV (late 14th/early 15th century) are considered typical robber barons: they are said to have undertaken raids in turbulent times to increase their wealth and power – at the same time, however, Heinrich was also an advisor at the Pomeranian court. This fits perfectly with the classic image of the medieval robber baron.

Gültz had been in the feudal possession of the Pomeranian branch of the von Maltzahn family since 1484 (sometimes also cited as 1496). It only belonged to the von Preen family from 1569 to 1646, before the Maltzahns reacquired it. A testament to this early period is the relief figure for Achim von Moltzan († 1565) in the Gültz village church. The most significant builder was Helmuth Freiherr von Maltzahn-Gültz (1840–1923) – member of the Reichstag, State Secretary under Bismarck, and Chief President of Pomerania. He had the current manor house built. His son Axel continued to manage the estate. Around 1914, the property comprised approx. 1,100 hectares (of which 143 hectares were forest); together with the Schossow and Wodarg estates, the family holdings amounted to over 2,600 hectares. A modern agricultural operation was run, featuring sheep farming and seed propagation. The family history ended in 1945 with the expropriation after the Second World War. The last owner was Helene-Luise (Hella) Freifrau von Maltzahn, née von Platen; her son Helmuth (1900–1984) was considered the last estate owner.

Rarely fully preserved ensemble: Late Baroque symmetrical farmyard with six buildings in front around a courtyard paved with fieldstones, stable, riding hall, park and remains of the medieval castle complex (Schlossberg an der Tollense as a protected monument). This makes the complex a special feature among the country's manor complexes.

A greeting from the Ice Age.

The town wall of Altentreptow (then Treptow an der Tollense) was built around 1450 with three town gates and a supplementary rampart. The Demmin Gate was located in the northeast and secured the road to Demmin. Originally, like the Brandenburg Gate, it was a higher gate tower with a pointed arch passage. Today, the gate is only preserved as a single-story structure with a pointed arch passage and 19th-century additions (height approx. 12 m).

Directly next to the bridge is a small rest area and a jetty with a ladder, ideal for swimming or at least dangling your feet in the Tollense.

Great new cycle path crossing the Tollense

Beautiful castle with an interesting past.