Lichtenhagen-Dorf Church

Lichtenhagen-Dorf Church – a medieval landmark near Rostock

The Lichtenhagen-Dorf Church in Lichtenhagen, a district of the municipality of Elmenhorst/Lichtenhagen in the Rostock district, is one of the most remarkable village churches on the Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast. First mentioned in a document in 1319, it is one of the historically significant places of worship in the Rostock area. Built primarily from uncut boulders, it reflects the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic period—a style of architecture commonly found in rural Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Vault paintings and the “bishop’s miter”—architecture of the Lichtenhagen village church

The oldest part of the church is the rectangular choir with a straight apse dating from the 13th century. It houses remarkable vault paintings from the 14th century. The three-aisled nave was added in later construction phases. Particularly striking is the 42-meter-high west tower, whose roof bears the characteristic shape of a “bishop’s miter”—a distinctive feature that makes the church visible from afar.

Renovation and Friends Association – Preservation of the Lichtenhagen Church

A major renovation took place in 1892 based on designs by architect Gotthilf Ludwig Möckel, who also left his mark on numerous church buildings throughout the rest of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Among other things, the historic stained-glass windows were installed during this process. Since 1998, the church has been gradually renovated with the support of a dedicated support association and preserved for future generations.