Traditional Rehna costume from the principality of Ratzeburg

• around 1900
• linen
• wool

It is known that the traditional Rehna costume was worn in Mecklenburg until the start of the 20th century. The last ladies to wear the becoming traditional farmers’ costume came from the former principality and neighbouring town of Rehna. Magdalena Lütjohann was probably the last lady to wear one in Groß Rünz. Yet she stopped wearing it while she was still alive. That is the only reason why parts of the traditional Eucharist costume remain, which would otherwise have formed part of her burial dress. After Germany was divided it was barely possible for her great-granddaughter from Lübeck to take mementos from her abandoned homeland with her.

Only her great-grandmother‘s traditional costume was smuggled across the border piece by piece in her hand luggage during every visit and thus protected against being lost. The traditional costume was painstakingly restored and now forms part of the permanent exhibition in the museum in Schönberg.It refers to several important aspects of the history of the former principality, the wearing of the costume, the awareness of its value as a memento and the division of Germany.