Perhaps you’ve noticed the quaint charm of Ratekau as we approached? Ratekau is a municipality in Ostholstein. It lies just 10 km northeast of Lübeck. Ratekau boasts a rich history and a vibrant community. Its origins stretch back to the Stone Age.
Ratekau gained notoriety in 1806. General Blücher surrendered here after the Battle of Lübeck. He faced Napoleon’s overwhelming forces. Blücher even misspelled the town’s name as “Radkau” in the surrender documents.
Ratekau’s landscape is dominated by the Hemmelsdorfer See. Forests cover around 20 percent of its area. This creates a beautiful, rural setting.
Ratekau has thirteen villages. Sereetz, Ratekau and Pansdorf are the largest. Each village adds to Ratekau’s unique character. Ratekau has maintained its rural charm. Newer commercial areas and housing developments also thrive. They benefit from Ratekau’s proximity to Lübeck.
The name “Ratekau” has Slavic roots. Many of the area’s villages do as well. Helmold von Bosau wrote about the area’s Christianization in his Slavic Chronicle. This happened in the 12th century.
The Ratekau fieldstone church dates back to 1156. It is a Vizelin church. Bishop Vicelin founded these churches in the 12th century. The Ratekau church became the town’s nucleus.
The Ratekau church is a landmark. It remains Ratekau’s emblem to this day. This fieldstone church dates to the 12th century. It is one of Ostholstein’s most intact fortified churches. The single-nave church features Romanesque style. It also has a 48-meter-high defensive tower.
The Ratekau coat of arms tells a story. It features the Vizelin Church. It also shows the Blücher Oak. A memorial stone leans against the oak. The stone commemorates Blücher’s 1806 surrender to Napoleon’s troops.
The Ratekau Dorfmuseum opened in 2000. It features a relocated “Räucherkate”. This is a smokehouse. It displays historical furnishings and farming tools. You can explore local life from earlier times.
Ratekau is also known for its literary connections. Achim Bröger, a children’s book author, lives in Sereetz. The village’s elementary school is named after him. Simon Urban, author of “Plan D” and “Gondwana,” lives in Techau.
Ratekau offers easy access to nearby attractions. Lübeck is just south. The Baltic Sea resorts of Scharbeutz and Timmendorfer Strand are to the north.
Ratekau is a blend of history and nature. It is conveniently located near both Lübeck and the Baltic coast. This makes Ratekau a unique and appealing destination. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of past and present here in Ratekau. Its story continues to unfold.