St.-Johannes-Kapelle, Gothic chapel in Schnakenbek, Germany

St. Johannes Chapel in Schnakenbek is a gothic prayer house with plain, functional construction marked by straight lines and small windows. The interior displays typical gothic features such as pointed arch vaults and rustic wooden furnishings.

The chapel was built in 1855 in neo-Gothic brick on granite foundations, replacing a timber-framed church; it is attributed to the Ratzeburg rural architect Carl August Wilhelm Lohmeyer (1824–1883). British troops crossed the Elbe at Artlenburg and Schnakenbek on the night of 28–29 April 1945, and artillery fire badly damaged the building. It was restored between 1953 and 1957.

The chapel serves as a gathering spot where locals attend services and concerts. The plain interior and close-set pews create a sense of continuity with long-standing community traditions.

The site is easy to reach and sits centrally in the village, making it accessible on foot. Visitors should check ahead about opening hours and events, as the chapel remains an active place of worship.

The chapel was built in 1855 to replace a timber-framed church, on granite foundations that remain visible at the base. It is attributed to Carl August Wilhelm Lohmeyer, the rural master builder of Ratzeburg. British troops crossed the Elbe here on the night of 28–29 April 1945, and artillery fire damaged the building; it was restored between 1953 and 1957.