Here at the Schwedenschanze, history whispers from the earth itself. The Schwedenschanze is not just one of many earthworks. Many similar structures across Central Europe share its misleading name. These fortifications often link back to the tumultuous times of the Thirty Years’ War.
The name Schwedenschanze translates to Swedish redoubt. A redoubt is a hastily built military fieldwork. The name Schwedenschanze became popular during the Thirty Years’ War. During this conflict, the local population sometimes reactivated ancient fortifications. People used them as refuge castles or livestock pens. This was an attempt to find safety from Swedish army units. Whether these defense systems actually served as protective locations during this emergency is mostly speculation. Many well-preserved earthworks in European forests were later falsely associated with this major religious war.
The history of these ground monuments often stretches back millennia. Many underwent expansion during the Early Middle Ages. This expansion occurred when the Hungarians threatened the East Frankish Empire in the 10th century.
During the 17th century, the Thirty Years’ War saw the creation of numerous earthworks. These Schanzen distinguish themselves through their regular geometric shapes. They stand apart from older structures. Occasionally, even fortifications constructed by the Imperial Army were later dubbed Schwedenschanzen.
Here in Lübeck, the Schwedenschanze forms part of the medieval Landwehr. The Landwehr includes ramparts that secured Lübeck’s urban area. Lübeck was not the only city to use these. The construction of the Landgraben began around 1303. This construction likely followed an attack by the Ascanian Duke Otto in 1301. The aim was to incorporate as many natural bodies of water as possible into its course. These water names have been partially lost over time. The Landgraben’s completion occurred around 1350.
The Landwehr’s exact function remains unclear. Its length made it impossible to fully staff. It could only delay enemy attacks, not prevent them. Its function likely involved marking customs borders. Special fortifications guarded the major roads from Eutin, Segeberg, Oldesloe, Hamburg, Ratzeburg, Mölln, and Wismar. Towers stood at Trems, Schlutup, Brandenbaum, and the Gronauer and Krummesser Baum. Conflicts occurred at the Schlutup Tower in 1506 and the Tremser Tower in 1509. The Lübeck city military manned the checkpoints. The tower at the Gronauer Baum was the last to be torn down in 1809.
The Landgraben runs through St. Jürgen, St. Lorenz, Schlutup, and St. Gertrud. It stretches from the Wakenitz along the Strecknitz via the Gronauer Baum to the Krummesser Baum. From there, it goes north to the Moislinger Baum and east to Roggenhorst. Beyond the A1, it runs north via the Steinrader Baum. It continues as the Fackenburger Landgraben to the Tremser Teich. A footpath parallels it in this section. The Trave River formed the border to the north up to Schlutup.
From Schlutup, the Landgraben runs through the Schwarzmühlenteich. It passes the Schwedenschanzen with the Hertogenbeke to the Wakenitz. The term Schwedenschanze lacks historical basis here. The Landgraben also marks part of the border with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It has two flow directions. From the Schwarzmühlenteich, it flows south towards the Wakenitz and north through the Schlutuper Mühlenteich towards the Trave.
During the construction of the railway embankment for the Lübeck–Bad Kleinen railway line, a section of the Landgraben had to be relocated. This also shifted the border between Lübeck and the Principality of Ratzeburg. A border agreement between Lübeck and Mecklenburg-Strelitz codified the new course of the Landgraben and border in 1869.
In 2015, the entire course was entered into the list of monuments. It was placed under monument protection. This was because of its special urban and state historical value. It has a formative value for the cultural landscape.
The section between Schlutup and Brandenbaum is part of the 91-hectare Moorwälder am Wesloer Moor und am Herrnburger Landgraben. The Palinger Heide und Halbinsel Teschow landscape conservation area adjoins the east side of the Landgraben.
So, as you stand here at the Schwedenschanze, remember that you are standing at a place with a rich history. It has been a site of defense, a marker of borders, and a witness to centuries of change.