Ludwigslust town church - a baroque jewel in MV

The "temple-like" town church in Ludwigslust is absolutely unusual by Mecklenburg standards. Not only the colossal altarpiece by two Baroque artists and the magnificent gallery for high nobility are well worth seeing. The church can be visited. The town church was built in 1770 as the court church for Ludwigslust Palace and was designed by court architect Johann Joachim Busch. Together with the palace square and the palace, it forms the largest baroque ensemble in Mecklenburg. In addition to the north-south orientation of the building, the Ludwigslust town church has numerous other special features. Compared to the huge altarpiece "Annunciation of the Shepherds" by the two court painters Dietrich Findorf and Johann Heinrich Suhrland, the bright interior with its design is almost plain. With a painted area of around 350 m², it is considered the largest altarpiece in Europe. The princely box is just as magnificent. Most of the decorations, ceiling rosettes and ornaments come from the Ludwigslust carton factory - in other words, they are made from the famous Ludwigslust papier-mâché. In the central aisle is the sarcophagus of Duke Friedrich, known as the Pious, who commissioned the church in Ludwigslust. The stone sarcophagus was made from a boulder weighing several tons at the grinding mill in Schwerin. Since the late 19th century, there has also been a frieze organ in Ludwigslust. The town church is Protestant and services are held regularly. The church is open to visitors from Tuesdays to Sundays and information material on the history of the church is available on site. Guided tours of the church are available on request.

Ludwigslust town church - temple-like court church in a baroque ensemble

The Ludwigslust town church is one of the most unusual church buildings in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Built in 1770 as a court church for Ludwigslust Palace, it was designed by court architect Johann Joachim Busch. Together with the palace and the palace square, it forms the largest baroque ensemble in Mecklenburg - a counterpart to the famous historic old towns of Wismar, Stralsund or Greifswald on the Baltic coast.

The largest altarpiece in Europe in Ludwigslust

The centerpiece of the church is the altarpiece "Annunciation of the Shepherds" by court painters Dietrich Findorf and Johann Heinrich Suhrland. With a painted area of around 350 square meters, it is considered the largest altarpiece in Europe. The bright, simple interior makes the painting look all the more impressive. Also worth seeing are the magnificent princely box and the numerous ceiling rosettes and decorations - most of which are made of the typical Ludwigslust papier-mâché from the local carton factory.

Sarcophagus, organ and special building details

The sarcophagus of Duke Frederick the Pious, who commissioned the building, stands in the central aisle of the church. The stone sarcophagus, which weighs several tons, was made from an erratic boulder in the grinding mill in Schwerin. Since the late 19th century, a frieze organ has also enriched the interior. The unusual north-south orientation of the building is also noteworthy. Protestant services are held regularly in the church and guided tours are available on request.

Further sights in Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust Castle

📍 Ludwigslust

Former residential palace and center of the late Baroque town complex. Halls with 18th century art as a museum. Spacious palace park with baroque water features and picnic areas. Open-air event in August: small festival in the large park. Ludwigslust Palace welcomes its guests with the sound of the cascades. The late Baroque palace with its high-quality sandstone façade, which was built between 1772 and 1776 under the direction of Duke Friedrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin, rises up in the middle of an extensive park. Where his father Christian Ludwig's small hunting lodge had previously stood, he had his own stately dream realized. One highlight is the Golden Hall. Here, five large crystal chandeliers impressively illuminate the gilded papier-mâché decorations on the walls, ceilings, mirrors and monumental columns. The elaborately crafted parquet floor once formed the stage for lavish balls and concerts. The Golden Hall has been undergoing restoration since September 2020. Filigree decorative elements also adorn the ducal apartments in the east wing. In the restored rooms with their high-quality marquetry floors, damask wall coverings, precious wallpaper and historical furniture, the courtly life of the late 18th century can once again be experienced. The artistically valuable, printed paper wallpapers in the former guest apartments, which have been preserved in their original state and left for display alongside the reconstruction, are well worth seeing. Since its restoration, the picture gallery at the end of the Parade Apartment can once again be experienced in its original dimensions. A wealth of works by Ludwigslust court artists and extraordinary architectural models made of cork can be admired here. The windows offer stunning views of the large palace park and the court church. The baroque garden was redesigned in the mid-19th century by the garden architect Peter Joseph Lenné in a landscaped style. A stroll along the Baroque avenues, past water features and canals, reveals ever new visual axes between architecture and nature, just waiting to be discovered. *The park is temporarily closed due to a tree fall. The main axis of the park will be reopened to the public at the end of November. By then, the tree maintenance work along Hofdamenallee and the lawn parterre will have been completed to such an extent that this area will be safe for traffic again. The palace museum, café and lawn parterre will be accessible.

Biosphere shelf in the Ludwigslust garden center

📍 Ludwigslust

Would you like to purchase high-quality, artisan products from the region? Then visit one of the biosphere shelves in the UNESCO biosphere reserve Flusslandschaft Elbe MV e.V.! The shelves sell products from the biosphere reserve's partners. Join in - enjoy a piece of the region! On the shelves you will find a wide selection of products from the partners of the Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve M-V - from apple juice and sea buckthorn mustard to goat's milk soap, there is something for everyone. The products include regional specialties such as products from the largest certified organic sea buckthorn plantation in Germany, fruit spreads made from local berries and honey from regional beekeepers. But you will also find artisan baked goods, chocolate and freshly roasted coffee beans on the biosphere shelves. There are also partners who are committed to regional craft traditions and offer handicrafts. Some of the products are certified organic and some also bear the Fairtrade seal. All products have one thing in common: they are of high quality, are processed in the region and are also largely marketed here - from the region, for the region! By purchasing the products, you are supporting the network of partners and the sustainable development of the UNESCO Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve.

Biosphere shelf in the Ludwigslust Information Center

📍 Ludwigslust

Events in Ludwigslust

7th VeloLust | Bike ride into the countryside

Event

09. May 2026, 08:00–14:00

7th VeloLust | Bike ride into the countryside

📍 Rathausvorplatz Ludwigslust

For the 7th time, the bike ride into the countryside is expected to start in front of the town hall at around 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The approx. 35 km long cycle tour, which can also be shortened to approx. 20 km, heads for special places in the Ludwigslust region.

The Naturforschende Gesellschaft Mecklenburg e.V. (NGM) invites you:

Event

16. May 2026, 08:00–11:00

The Naturforschende Gesellschaft Mecklenburg e.V. (NGM) invites you:

📍 Natureum Ludwigslust

Botanical-Faunistic Excursion to the Ludwigslust Palace Park (Leader: Uwe Jueg - Ludwigslust)

Event

17. May 2026, 08:00–16:00

International Museum Day

📍 Schloss Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust Castle

Accommodation auf Schwerin & Umgebung

Vacation apartments, hotels and more in the region

Ferienpark

AWO SANO - Holiday Center Schweriner See

📍 Schwerin / Mueß

Whether it's a school trip, vacation camp, conference or vacation together - the Schwerin vacation center offers its guests numerous opportunities for relaxation and entertainment.

Ferienwohnung

Alter Hof am Elbdeich country idyll hotel

📍 Unbesandten

Hotel-restaurant-holiday apartments, a listed farm dating from 1823 directly on the Elbe dyke, with a cozy restaurant, terrace, wellness area, sauna, sunbathing lawn, lake in the immediate vicinity, bicycles, book corner and fireplace.

Sonstige Unterkunft

Dömitzer Hafen jetty

📍 Dömitz

There are 16 boat moorings available in Dömitz harbor.

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