The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Priestersee

Beautiful, unobstructed view across the Schaalsee to the Großzecher Werder and the "Devil's Bridge"-

Surrounded by beautiful forest lies the tranquil Pipersee, which is about seven meters deep. In some places, the view opens up over the calm water.

The Schaalsee is nestled within the biosphere reserve of the same name and, at over 70 meters deep, is considered Northern Germany's deepest clearwater lake. Those who wish to swim here should only do so at designated areas—for example, in Dargow, Lassahn, Seedorf, or at the Zarrentin lido. The water quality is excellent, perfect for a refreshing dip on the go. The protected natural environment surrounding the lake is rich in species and tranquil—ideal for those who appreciate peace, clean air, and clear water. The beer and coffee garden is a pleasant place to relax.

Beautiful route

The Cistercian monastery in Zarrentin am Schaalsee was founded in 1246 and dissolved in 1553. The building houses a permanent exhibition in the cloister, which has a direct connection to the monastery and its history. Originally, the monastery complex, together with the Zarrentin Church, formed a closed, slightly trapezoidal rectangle with a four-sided cloister surrounding the inner courtyard. This contained the nuns' cemetery. The buildings of the south and west wings were described as dilapidated as early as 1576 and demolished soon thereafter. The Gothic east wing, whose long side runs parallel to the shore of Lake Schaalsee, has survived to this day. The cross-ribbed vaults, some with elaborately designed keystones and consoles, are completely preserved. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kloster_Zarrentin

The Gothic parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul is located in the same complex as the monastery and the local history museum. The church is free to visit, provided no events are taking place.

The following legend surrounds the heraldic animal of the small town of Zarrentin am Schaalsee: "In the Cistercian nunnery, there once lived an abbess who came from Lake Constance, and the tasty whitefish were said to have been her favorite food there. Once, during Lent, in the solitude of Zarrentin, she was so irresistibly overcome by a craving for the long-deprived fish that she called upon the devil and demanded that he bring her some whitefish from Lake Constance. In return, she would pledge her soul to him. However, he had to be back before midnight. The enterprising master of evil agreed and immediately set off. No sooner had he disappeared than the abbess's conscience struck. In her perplexity, she called the convent of nuns together and remorsefully confessed her transgression. Then one of the nuns stood up, calmed the pious mother, climbed the tower, and set the clock forward one hour. It was now 11:00 p.m., and the devil was with his fish above Techin. Then the Zarrentin monastery clock struck twelve thunderous strokes. In his rage, the devil threw the whitefish into the Schaalsee. This is how these fish, which have made the Schaalsee so famous among gourmets, are caught there today. Source: https://schaalsee-angler.de/ausflug/geschichte-der-mar-ne

Legend has it that an abbess from the monastery was craving a whitefish dish. The devil offered to fetch her some whitefish from Lake Constance. He was to be back by midnight and, in return, would receive her soul. But as soon as the devil left, the abbess's guilty conscience wouldn't leave her alone, and she confided in a nun. The nun came up with the idea of setting the monastery clock forward an hour. No sooner said than done. As the devil was passing over Lake Schaalsee with his net full of whitefish, the clock struck midnight. Enraged that he had yet another soul escaped him, he hurled the whitefish and net into the lake, where they have lived ever since.