Dömitz Fortress
The brick bulwark overlooks the Elbe near the town of Dömitz.
Its walls have seen princes, military leaders and kings come and go and inspired writers. In addition to the impressive large bastions and the gate with a real drawbridge, visitors can discover the exhibition in the museum and the information center of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape MV with the exhibitions "Man and Biosphere" and "Basically". ATTENTION: The Dömitz through road (B 195) in the area of the Steinschleuse bridge is fully closed to traffic until the end of 2025. The detour will be via the L 04 (Hohe Brücke Dömitz). A local detour will be in place for pedestrians and cyclists. The cultural monument Dömitz Fortress is located on the banks of the Elbe in Mecklenburg and is one of the few very well-preserved 16th century lowland fortresses in Northern Europe. Built in the shape of a pentagon and equipped with bastions and casemates, it displays the impressive defensive architecture of the Renaissance. It was built between 1559 and 1565 on the remains of a 13th century castle and was used for military purposes until the late 19th century. The five bastions and casemates, the arsenal, the old main guardhouse and the commandant's house provide an insight into the defenses of several centuries. Dömitz Fortress is of particular national importance due to its very high value in terms of national and military history and art history. Opening hours from December to March: Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays | 11:30 - 15:30 Exhibitions The fortress has been home to a museum since 1953. Visitors can learn more about the history of the town and fortress, about Fritz Reuter, the important Low German writer, and also about the history of the border. Regional and national artists show their works in changing exhibitions. Two exhibitions in the information center of the UNESCO biosphere reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe M-V invite visitors to get to know the transnational biosphere reserve and the global network of UNESCO biosphere reserves. Opening hours from December to March: Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays | 12:00 - 15:00
Dömitz Fortress - one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Northern Europe
Dömitz Fortress on the banks of the Elbe in Mecklenburg is one of the most important cultural monuments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Built between 1559 and 1565 on the remains of a medieval castle, today it is one of the few very well-preserved 16th century lowland fortresses in the whole of Northern Europe. Its pentagonal layout with mighty bastions, casemates, armory and the gate with a real drawbridge convey an impressive picture of Renaissance defensive architecture.
Museum and Elbe Biosphere Reserve in Dömitz Fortress
Since 1953, the fortress has housed a museum with exhibitions on the history of the town and fortress, the history of the border and the important Low German writer Fritz Reuter. Changing art exhibitions by regional and national artists complement the program. In the integrated information center of the UNESCO biosphere reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe M-V, the exhibitions "Mensch und Biosphäre" and "Im Grunde" invite visitors to get to know this transnational protected area and the global UNESCO network.
Dömitz and the region between the Elbe and the Baltic coast
Dömitz is located in southern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, away from well-known vacation destinations such as Rügen, Usedom or Fischland-Darß-Zingst. It is precisely this location that makes the town a worthwhile excursion destination for anyone who wants to explore the natural landscape of the Elbe and the history of the region alongside their Baltic Sea vacation. The fortress forms the cultural center of the region. Please note: The Dömitz through road (B 195) in the area of the Steinschleuse bridge is currently fully closed to car traffic; the detour is via the L 04 (Hohe Brücke Dömitz). A local detour is in place for pedestrians and cyclists.
Travel to Dömitz Fortress by car and trainYou can reach Dömitz by car from Schwerin via the B 321 and then via the B 195. From the A 24 freeway (Hamburg-Berlin), take the Wittenburg exit, from where you can take the B 5 towards Dömitz. The nearest train station is in Ludwigslust, from where Dömitz can be reached by bus or bicycle.