Perched on the southern shore of the Mirower See, Mirow is a charming town in the heart of the Mecklenburg Lake District. It was originally established in the 13th century by the Order of Saint John and boasts a beautiful Baroque palace surrounded by English-style gardens. Mirow is famously the birthplace of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Britain’s longest-serving queen consort.
Things to do in Mirow
One of the town’s most prominent architectural landmarks is Schloss Mirow, which was constructed in the early 18th century on the designs of Joachim Borchmann. Standing opposite the castle is Cavalier House, a two-storey service building that is now occupied by the museum exhibits of 3 Königinnen Palais. Learn about the queens who once resided here before enjoying coffee and cake at the lakeside cafe.
A wrought iron bridge connects from Schloss Mirow to Liebesinsel Mirow, otherwise known as the “Island of Love”. It is the final resting place of Charles II of Mecklenburg-Strelit, whose grave is marked by an elaborate tomb. The island offers wonderful views across the Mirower See from its waterfront trails and there are plenty of shaded benches for watching the world go by.
On the other side of Schloss Mirow is the Johanniterkirche, which was rebuilt in the wake of World War II on the designs of architect Paul Zühlke. Its Royal Tomb is home to the remains of several duchesses and dukes, including the wife of Charles II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. From the church tower, there are magnificent views across Mirow.
Getting around Mirow
Mirow is around two hours’ drive from the centre of Berlin and Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Mirow railway station and buses travel through the town. Most of Mirow’s attractions can easily be explored on foot.