Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Germany’s hidden jewel begins attracting foreign guests
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Western Pomerania) in hosting this year’s Germany Travel Mart was given the opportunity to show the international community just why it has managed to become one of Germany’s fastest growing tourist destinations.
While it is the sixth largest state in Germany by size, it is the least densely populated, with little more than 1.5 million inhabitants. Located between the two metropolitan areas of Berlin and Hamburg, it is ideal for a quick getaway to enjoy the idyllic countryside. Its tranquil vastness, charming nature, abundance of water and rich cultural heritage has made the region popular with German tourists and in recent times with an increasing number of overseas tourists who have discovered the charm, tranquility and natural beauty of the state.
Nowhere in Germany does the sun shine as much as it does here and the salty sea breeze helps to refresh body and mind. With 58 spa towns and resorts on the Baltic coastline many Germans select this region as their perfect getaway during the summer months.
Many of the most beautiful sites in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are discovered by hiking, cycling and boating. With innumerable routes Vacationers can explore the countryside almost endlessly by bicycle making it one of the most popular cycling destinations in Germany. The countless interconnected network of lakes in the heart of the state make the area perfect for touring by boat.
With its rich and eventful history Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can boast a glorious display of magnificent castles, mansions and gardens, probably unsurpassed anywhere else in Europe.
World Heritage
Many towns and villages in not only in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern but throughout north Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland and the Baltic states Latvia, feature Gothic red brick buildings associated with the Hanseatic League (13th-17th century). These towns were often built around one or several market places. In this region there are two that stand out, Stralsund and Wismar which have kept their medieval layout with the centers almost unchanged. These towns are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Wismar is a small port, about 45 km east of Lübeck. The town has a natural harbor and is located in the Bay of Wismar. Stralsund is located at the southern coast of the Strelasund and its museum, the oldest in the state can be found in the former Dominican monastery, St. Katharinen in the middle of the town center.
Castles, Parks and Manor Houses
With more than 2,000 castles, monasteries, palaces, manor houses and stately homes, there is no other place in Europe with such a high concentration as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. More than a thousand of these beings are regarded as being of such great cultural and historical importance that they have been registered as listed buildings. Perhaps the most famous castle is Schwerin Castle located in the city of Schwerin, the state capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. With its surrounding parks and gardens and the natural landscape and its artistic and architectural riches, the palace presents itself as the largest and most modern -palace site in the state. The palace was rebuilt between 1845-57 in the neo-renaissance style and served as a residence for the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The one time living, social and ceremonial rooms are now used by the palace museum to exhibit many works of art, sculpture, furniture, weapons, jewelry and other forms of art. The palace is used today as the seat of government for the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 1990.
Güstrow Palace is the most important renaissance palace in northern Germany. A medieval castle was replaced in 1558 and the new castle rebuilt in 1598 under the instructions of Ulrich, Duke of Mecklenburg. The architect succeeded in creating a synthesis of Italian, French and German architectural styles, unique for the period and the region. After restoration work was carried out between 1963 and 1978 the majority of the representative rooms were restored to their previous splendor. The international flair of the castle was recreated with baroque and renaissance paintings, sculptures and furniture in the formal court apartments, living and reception rooms.
In 1772-1776 Duke Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin built the Schloss Ludwigslust palace as the centre piece of the late baroque townscape of Ludwigslust and as his main residence. In the year 1837 the palace became a hunting lodge and summer residence. The original furnishings include fire places, mirrors, parquet floors and chandeliers, together with ornaments and decorations of Ludwigslust card (papier maché) and make for an impression of authenticity. The palace is surrounded by a park that is regarded as one of the finest in Northern Germany.
Water here, water there, water water everywhere
The slogan used by the German National Tourist Board, describing the state as Germany’s must-sea destination is apt. With 1,900 km of Baltic coastline, more than 2,000 sparkling lakes and a network of 25,000 kilometers of rivers and creeks it comes as no surprise that water plays a major role in not only tourism but also in everyday life of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
With magnificent white sandy beaches and the clean and clear water of the Baltic Sea, as well as the thousands of lakes and rivers there is no shortage of opportunities for the swimmer. Fishing in the rich fishing grounds anglers are sure to be amply rewarded with a good catch and for water sport enthusiasts there are the most wonderful spots for sailing, diving and canoeing.
The Mecklenburg Lake District is located in the southern part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with water as far as the eye can see. The largest inland body of water in Germany is found here as well as the largest lakeland region in Germany. The region includes the Müritz National Park, containing Germany's largest lake, Lake Müritz (112.6km2) as well as the wildlife reserves at Feldberger Seenlandschaft, Mecklenburgische Schweiz and Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide.
The lakes, canals and forests can ideally be explored in a rented boat, on foot, by bicycle, or even on horseback or by horse and carriage. The Müritz National Park, the Nature Park at Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide and the Feldberg lake district all contain areas of unique flora and fauna a must visit site for nature lovers.
There are picturesque towns and villages throughout the region with largest being the city of Neubrandenburg, a city famous for its rich medieval heritage of Brick Gothic.
The Baltic Coastline
With its white sandy beaches, steep shores and chalk cliffs, as well as a gentle climate with clean salty and moist sea air, an excess of sunshine and relatively small changes in temperature the Baltic Sea has attracted visitors for more than 200 years.
Back in 1793 the local ruler of the region, on the advice of his personal physician braved the waters of the Baltic at Heilingendamm. He was immediately convinced of the healing powers of bathing in the sea and ordered the first seaside resort in Germany be built on the spot. Heilingendamm known as the “White Town by the Sea” hosted the heads of states of the G8 countries as recently as 2007.
Since then many more resorts have been added along the coastline, with their white villas, endless promenades, colorful idyllic fishing villages and chic hotels and holiday homes.
One small resort was founded in Ahrenshoop on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. The village once the border between Mecklenburg and Pomerania (Vorpommern) was part of Swedish Pomerania until 1815. Most of the inhabitants of the village were fishermen and sailors but in 1889 artists Paul Müller-Kaempff and Oskar Frenzel discovered the village. They were so impressed with its landscape and perfect lighting that they setup an artist’s colony in the village to which many more artists were attracted. By 1894 the number of tourists visiting Ahrenshoop reached 150 and this number swelled to 2,158 by 1928.
Today Ahrenshoop is known as an "Artist Spa" and a popular place for artists and celebrities; however back in the early 20th century, it was difficult to transport paintings from this remote location to distant towns; so a couple of artists had the idea of opening up a local art gallery for the many landscape artists to display their works. In 2009 the Kunstkaten (Art Cottage) celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The chalk cliffs are still characteristic today of the coastline of the largest German island Rugen. Its little sisters appear slightly different but not less charming, the fashionable emperors' resorts on Usedom are wonderful places to bathe and go for a stroll. On the island of Hiddensee, where cars are not allowed, the mad rush and noise of the big cities are quickly forgotten.
No mention of the Baltic coastline can be included without mention of the city of Rostock and its beach resort at Warnemünde. Rostock the largest and most important city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with some 200,000 inhabitants was founded some 800 years ago. It rose to power with its membership in the Hanseatic League. In the 14th century it was a powerful seaport town with 12,000 inhabitants and the biggest city of Mecklenburg. With its grid shaped network of streets, large marketplaces near the harbor, wide high streets and mighty ramparts, bridges, walls and gates; much of which has been preserved today, it was one of the largest, wealthiest and most advanced cities in the German nation.
Northern Europe’s first university was founded in Rostock in 1419, offering the town not only prestige, but also intellectual and academic prestige. Today this is a place of learning for more than 14,000 students from more than 80 countries worldwide.
The power of this city’s past is evident in its imposing brick-built churches, monasteries, town gates and typically north European gabled houses. But the sea remains the elixir of life for Rostock. Maritime businesses and tourism dictate life in this city, with its important ferry and cruise ship port, as well as shipbuilding and shipping. As well as the regular ferry services which connect Rostock with Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Latvia more than 100 cruise ships dock during the summer months at Rostock-Warnemünde port
Holiday makers and tourists are able to not only enjoy the bracing sea air, but also the unique maritime landscapes. Each summer, the Hanse Sail takes place in Rostock during the second week of August with more than 200 ships of all types from a many different countries. About 1.5 million visitors arrive in Rostock during this time to experience and to participate in this and other associated events. But for many the allure of Rostock is Warnemünde’s 15 kilometer of exceptionally fine white sandy beaches
What helps to make Rostock a top quality health resort are its first-class hotels; many of which specialize in providing wellness holidays. The flagship Hotel Neptun was Germany’s original Thalasso Centre [1] followed in 2006 by the Hohe Düne marina residence. Many of the other hotels provide similar service, all according to the strict criteria of the German Wellness Association.
Golfing Holidays
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a perfect location for those looking for a golf holiday. The golf season extends from the beginning of April and lasts until the end of October and the courses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern cater for every type of golfer, from the novice to the professional.
From its first 18-hole golf course in East Germany, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can now claim to be the top place in Germany for golf tourism. There are now 17 courses with resorts like Balm on the island of Usedom, Teschow in “Mecklenburgian Switzerland, Winston Golf in Vorbeck near Schwerin and Schloss Karnitz on the island of Rügen are among the foremost golfing locations in the east and north of Germany.
The infrastructure is often as good as the courses themselves. In some places the choice of hotels close to the course is as varied as the choice of golf clubs on the greens. Fleesensee, one of the most modern German courses, is part of the largest leisure part in Northern Europe featuring a Radisson SAS Hotel, a Dorfhotel and Germany’s first Robinson Club and will be joined next year with a new hotel belonging to the Iberotel chain.
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