Station: [4] Church

The Ivenacker Church is not a village church in the true sense of the word. The first building was constructed in the mid-13th century as a place of worship for the Cistercian convent. The convent existed from 1252 to 1555, and the late Gothic north portal still bears witness to this period today.

After secularization, the monastery church became the castle church for the landlords who now resided in the castle opposite. The pulpit, which you can admire inside the church, dates from 1598 and is therefore over 400 years old. It is a miracle that it has survived, as the building was destroyed down to its foundations during the Thirty Years' War.

It was not until decades after the war, in the early 18th century, that the new landowner and privy councillor Ernst Christoph von Koppelow had the castle and church rebuilt. The slender church tower on the west side of the church probably also dates from this period. It replaced the defiant tower on the north side facing away from the lake, of which only a stump remains.

Feel free to go inside the church. It is usually open.

Inside, at the back left, you will find a magnificent marble epitaph commemorating Privy Councilor Ernst Christoph von Koppelow. Right next to it is the so-called Count's Chair – a venerable patron's box in the Rococo style. It was built by Koppelow's successor, Privy Councilor Helmold von Plessen auf Camps. After being appointed Imperial Count in 1740, he attended church services from his box – high above the heads of the congregation and the pastor. From that time until the end of World War II, the Ivenacker Church served as the burial place of the Barons of Maltzahn. A wrought-iron gate in the castle park north of the church still refers to the former churchyard today.

In 1867 and 1868, the church tower and building were given their current classicist design. And since the early years of the 21st century, the latest restoration has allowed the church to shine again in friendly, bright colors. Incidentally, the church bells have survived all the turmoil and wars. The oldest of them dates back to 1555 and can be traced back to Anna von Kamptz, the last abbess of the Cistercian convent.

Now walk past the church on the right, along the lake. In a few steps you will reach our next stop: the tea house.

Foto: © Lisa Ruschin