Station: [6] Park

Walking paths, scenic views, and the idyllic lake right next door: the park, which begins at the castle, runs alongside the church, and extends a good distance further east behind the tea house, is a 19th-century complex.

In the Middle Ages, the Cistercian convent was located here: an elongated main building adjoined the church on the left and stood at right angles to the lake. Further to the left were stables, a brewery and bakery, and the abbess's residence. Where the castle stands today, there used to be the provost's residence. So today's park was densely built up.

Ernst Christoph von Koppelow, his widow, and their successors, the Barons von Maltzahn, transformed the area into a Baroque garden. Symmetrically arranged flower beds and geometrically trimmed bushes now characterized the landscape. But soon a new fashion arrived on the continent from the British Isles: the English landscape garden, which staged trees, bushes, paths, and water features like a large landscape painting. The avenues and paths still exist today, offering ever-changing perspectives on nature and buildings in the park. Magnificent individual trees—so-called solitaires—provide visual accents. And who knows? Perhaps the great garden architect Peter Joseph Lenné even played a role in the design of the Ivenacker Castle Park in the mid-19th century. The masterful design of the Ivenacker Park certainly suggests this.

Adjacent to the park is the bathing area. A lot will change here in 2024: the modest sandy area will be widened and a bathing jetty will be built. The area will be complemented by a Kneipp natural facility on the shore, seating areas, a boules court, and a selection of outdoor fitness equipment. At the same time, a barefoot path in the form of a circular labyrinth will be created towards the park, providing wellness for the feet, so to speak.

Foto: © Lisa Ruschin