The oder partnership

ThePartnership ODER

DOLNOŚLĄSKIE LUBUSKIE WIELKOPOLSKA ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE BERLIN BRANDENBURG MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN SAXONY

BORDERS SPLIT – THE RIVER ODER UNITES The Oder Partnership is an informal, interregional network in which the provinces of Wielkopolska, Zachodniopomorskie, Dolnośląskie, Lubuskie collaborate on projects with the German federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony under the banner ‘Separated and linked by the Oder River’.

The River which gave the project its name is a “living link” connecting this prosperous region. Aims of the Oder Partnership: integration, cooperation, joint marketing of the region on either side of the Oder River.

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DOLNOŚLĄSKIE

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The land of castles and mysteries C Łomnica castle fot. arch. DOT

LUBUSKIE

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Worth your while The Muskau Park (UNESCO list) V fot. arch. POT

WIELKOPOLSKA

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Great History, Great Adventure THE CITY HALL of Poznań V fot. arch. WOT

ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE p. 10

Sea of adventure The Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle in Szczecin V fot. arch. ZROT

CONTENTS

BERLIN

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A modern metropolis with character C Brandenburg Gate in Berlin fot. © DZT e.v.

BRANDENBURG p. 14

All Around Berlin Spreewald girls eating local pickles V fot. © TVb-ki

MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN

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Natural resources and Hanseatic wealth C Chalk Cliffs on Rügen fot. © TMV

SAXONY

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State of the arts Semperoper Dresden V fot. © DZT e.v.

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Książ Castle t

DOLNOŚLĄSKIE

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The land of castles and mysteries

t Lądek Zdrój – the Wojciech sanatorium

The nature generously endowed Lower Silesia with its extremely diverse landscapes, stunning mountain ranges and picturesque valleys crossed by rushing mountain streams.

The region has a turbulent history, which left traces in the form of numerous evidence of the wealth of this land.

Castles and palaces

Nowhere in Poland, or even in Europe, one can find such a rich variety of the castle and palace architecture, as in Lower Silesia (about 850 objects). The largest and most impressive is the Książ Castle in Wałbrzych. The most beautiful is the Valley of Palaces and Gardens – the tourist trail leading through Jeleniogórska Valley, where every few kilometers there is a chance of seeing palace, mansion or castle.

Some of them are falling into disrepair, others are magnets for tourists and cultural events (Czocha, Chojnik, Bolków). There are also objects which became elegant hotels such as Wojanów Palace and Kliczków Castle.

DOLNOŚLĄSKIE

t The Gold Mine Złoty Stok Capital city: Wrocław Area: 19 947 km2

Wrocław – the European Capital of Culture 2016

The capital city of Lower Silesia and the fourth largest city in Poland is a symbol of success. It is called the city of a hundred bridges and for over thousand years it mirrors in the waters of Oder river. The city bears the traces of its Czech, German and Polish past.

Nowadays, Wrocław is truly European city. It is famous for the beautiful market square, the bustling Old City, the Panorama of Raclawice (a panoramic painting, 120 x 15 meters) and the Centennial Hall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Actively in the mountains

A significant part of the region is occupied by the Sudety Mountains including two mountain ranges protected by national parks: the Karkonosze National Park (with the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the Czech-Polish boundary) and the Stołowe Mountains National Park. They are famous for offering excellent conditions for active tourism, especially climbing and skiing.

We can find here a number of hiking trails, cycling paths, canoeing waterways, as well as skiing and cross country skiing trails.

Since 1976, the oldest and largest event in Polish cross-country skiing takes place here – the Piast Race in Szklarska Poręba.

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Population: 2 914 400

t The Milicz Ponds

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Among the natural curiosities of the region, may be reckoned the largest landscape park in Poland the Barycz Valley as well as the biggest protected nature reserve the Milicz Ponds

Health resort area

Lower Silesia is the largest and the oldest health resort area in Poland. You can find here 10 springs and dozens of mineral water intakes. Only in a small Kłodzko Valley there are located: LądekZdrój, Kudowa-Zdrój, Polanica-Zdrój and Duszniki-Zdrój. All of them are health resorts with tradition, still thriving and broadening their offer. Here you can get treatment even underground – the only one in Poland radon inhalation facility is located in the former uranium mine in Kowary.

Lower Silesia peculiarities

Among the natural curiosities of the region, may be reckoned the largest landscape park in Poland the Barycz Valley as well as

the biggest protected nature reserve the Milicz Ponds (Stawy Milickie) – the largest complex of ponds covering an area of 8000 hectares which incorporates one of the most valuable ornithological areas in Europe.

The real peculiarity of Lower Silesia are the underground tourist routes among which you can find natural caves (the Bear Cave in Kletno), old mines (gold mine in Złoty Stok) or mysterious corridors hollowed out during the Second World War (the Underground Complex of Osówka in Sowie Mountains). t

Lower Silesian Tourist Organisation ul. Świdnicka 44, 50-027 Wrocław ✆ +48 71 793 97 22 8 dot@dot.org.pl www.dolnyslask.info.pl

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LUBUSKIE

Worth your while

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Here you can relax surrounded by two national parks (Warta River Mouth National Park, Drawa National Park), eight landscape parks and enjoy more than 50 nature reserves and 1500 natural monuments.

t The Bird Republic in Słońsk

Lubuskie is a land of pristine nature.

Forests occupy almost half area of the region. There are also 500 lakes and four big rivers: Oder, Warta, Noteć and Bóbr.

The Bird Republic

The area of the Warta River Mouth, protected as national park and Natura 2000 site, is the habitat for around 250 species of birds – its flood plains, canals and abundant meadows make it a true paradise for birds, ornithologists and bird watchers.

Approximately 35 bird species threatened with extinction live here permanently or temporarily. “The Bird Republic” is not only a special initiative of bird enthusiasts aimed at promotion of this unique landscape but also a weekend tourist package.

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Kayak trails in Lubuskie t

Capitals: Gorzów Wielkopolski i Zielona Góra

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LUBUSKIE

Area: 13 988 km2

Population: about 1 mln

Canoeing adventure

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The beekeeping and wine-making tradition of the region dates back to the 16th century.

There are many well preserved monuments connected with viticulture and apiculture. On the trail tourists can go wine tasting in local vineyards and cellars. They can also visit farms producing honey, beekeeping heritage parks, Museum of Wine, Ethnographic Museum, or enjoy a stay at comfortable hotels including the Mierzęcin Palace famous for its wine spa and the second largest vineyard in Poland. The trail is available all year round but the best time for a visit is autumn when various events are held such as the Zielona Góra Wine Festival.

Poland and all around the world perform on several stages. The Woodstock Festival is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation. This is the expression of gratitude for the Volunteers and donors of Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity who, during its final events in January, collect money for the Foundation and support it financially.

Woodstock Festival

Peculiarities of the region

One of the most recognizable festivals in Poland held annually at the turn of July and August in Kostrzyn on the Oder River.

During the event, which attracts thousands of fans, a few dozen music bands from

t W oodstock Festival

t Mierzęcin Palace Wellness & Wineresort

The Międzyrzecz Fortified Region is one of the world’s most powerful systems of underground fortifications. The fortification, erected in the 1930s, currently become a major tourist attraction of the region and

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Thousand kilometres of hiking and Nordic walking trails, cycling paths, horse trails and water routes will certainly help you to keep in touch with the nature.

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The Wine and Honey Trail of Lubuskie

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Lubuskie is a land of rivers, lakes and forests. Thousand kilometres of hiking and Nordic walking trails, cycling paths, horse trails and water routes will certainly help you to keep in touch with the nature. One of the most popular is the Lubrzanski canoe trail, fairly short (15 km length), but available even for unexperienced paddlers. Canoeing here is definitely an unforgettable experience.

Europe’s largest bats reserve. Almost 30 000 bats of 12 species overwinter here each year. Another site worth visiting is the Museum of the Allied Prisoners of War Martyrdom in Żagań, opened on the terrain of the former prisoner-of-war camps run by the Germans during World War II. The Museum commemorates the “Great Escape” when allied airmen broke out of Stalag Luft III. t

Lubuska Regional Tourist Organisation “LOTUR” ul. Podgórna 7, 65-057 Zielona Góra ✆ +48 68 456 55 53 8 turystyka@lotur.eu www.lotur.eu, www.lubuskie.travel

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Poznań – the Old Town t

WIELKOPOLSKA fot. A. Piechocka

Great history, great adventure

t The Great Loop of Wielkopolska

Wielkopolska region knows the history of Poland very well. Here, more than ten centuries ago, the Polish state was established within boundaries similar to those of Poland today. Among this picturesque, hilly postglacial landscape are hidden 1,000 lakes and numerous historical monuments.

The legendary cradle of Poland

The best way to get familiar with the history of Poland and Polish Christianity is travelling the Piast Route, which is full of important historical monuments built between the 10th and 13th centuries. The main part of the route (115 km) leads from the city of Poznań, via Gniezno, Trzemeszno, Strzelno to Kruszwica. The times of the first Piast monarchy remember, among the others, Kalisz (the oldest city in Poland, called Calisia in the 2nd century AD), Ostrów Lednicki (the settlement which already existed in the 7th century), Giecz, Strzelno or Kruszwica.

WIELKOPOLSKA

t Archaeological Reserve „Piast Gord in Kalisz” in Zawodzie

Capital: Poznań

Area: 29 826 km2

Population: about 3,5 mln

Multicultural Poznań

A well-known symbol of the capital is the Renaissance Town Hall with the figures of the two goats goring each other up with their horns at the town hall tower.

Another symbol of the city is its oldest part, Ostrów Tumski. This thousand years old metropolis is today the commercial capital of Poland. The Poznan International Fair (MTP) has been hosted by the city since 1921. MTP organizes around 80 fair events and over 1,500 congresses and conferences per year. Numerous cultural events are organized in Arts and Business Center “Stary Browar” located in the 19th century brewery. Every year, the city and its streets also host the famous Malta Festival Poznań – one of the most significant artistic events in Central and Eastern Europe.

Stream trains

The only active roundhouse in Europe is situated in Wolsztyn. It still operates scheduled

t T he Parade of Steam Trains in Wolsztyn

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You can choose one of dozens of unforgettable steam train journeys available all year round at TurKol.pl. steam passenger trains as well as special services. The oldest locomotive dates back to 1917, but the real pride of the local railwaymen is puffer Piękna Helena (Beautiful Helen / Pm36-2). It can reach a top speed of 130 kph. This place is especially worth visiting in spring when Europe’s biggest Parade of Steam Trains takes place. The event is accompanied by evening spectacle called “Light, sound, steam”. You can choose one of dozens of unforgettable steam train journeys available all year round at TurKol.pl.

Being active in Wielkopolska Surprisingly, the longest waterway in Poland can be found not in the Masurian Lakes region but in Wielkopolska. The Great Loop of Wielkopolska connects 690 km of waterways into a nautical tourist route. The

fot. W. Lis

The turbulent history of the region has left its mark on the architecture of subsequent centuries. Currently, hundred thousands of tourists are attracted by wonderful castles and palaces, most of which were revitalized – today they house museums, hotels and restaurants (Kórnik, Rogalin, Gołuchów, Rydzyna, Antonin or Śmiełów). You can also find there beautiful town halls in Poznań and Leszno as well as charming wooden churches in Bralin and Tarnowo Pałuckie.

fot. Arch. Muzeum Okreg. Ziemi Kaliskiej.

History told by architecture

rivers and canals of the trail lead us through Wielkopolska National Park and Rogalin Landscape Park. On your way you can see the historic lock mechanism on the Noteć river, the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń, the Śmiełowo Palace and the Ląd Abbey.

Cycling enthusiasts will find their Eldorado among post-glacial hills of the Wielkopolska System of Cycling Routes (over 2000 km).

The newest attraction for cyclists is the GPS marking. You just download the files from www.gpswielkopolska.pl and you may go on excursion without a map or a guide. t

Wielkopolska Tourist Organisation ul. 27 Grudnia 17/19, 61-737 Poznań ✆ +48 61 664 52 34 8 biuro@wot.org.pl www.wielkopolska.travel, www.wielka-petla.pl

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The beach in Świnoujście t

ZACHONIOPOMORSKIE fot. Arch. ZROT

Sea of Adventure

t The port of Kołobrzeg

The West Pomeranian region is a land of Polish records. Świnoujście boasts the widest sandy beach of the coast. The beach is getting wider and wider thanks to the longest breakwater of 1.4 km length situated in proximity of the Poland’s tallest lighthouse (68 meter-high).

Wolin, the largest Polish island (256 km2) hosts the highest cliffed coast in Poland; a 93-meter high, almost vertical wall of the highest cliff, Gosań, overhangs a pebbly beach.

Szczecin – city of a thousand impressions

Szczecin is known as a city of parks and water; it is also famous for its unique urban planning with several squares, roundabouts and radiating, wide avenues similar to Paris. Although the city is more than 60 km away from the sea, it is one of the two largest commercial ports of Poland. This

ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE

t Binowo Park Golf Club

t Tall Ship Races in Szczecin

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Capital: Szczecin

Area: 22 892 km

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is the place that successfully hosted two editions of the Tall Ship Races. The Chrobry Embankment (Wały Chrobrego) is the most representative avenue of the city and its most famous building is the Renaissance Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle.

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Population: 1,7 mln

Health and beauty

The region is also unique for its therapeutic qualities, with its rich resources of peloid, mild climate and brine springs making the local health resorts, i.e. Świnoujście, Kamień Pomorski, Kołobrzeg, Połczyn Zdrój and Dąbki a valuable magnet for tourists and health resort visitors.

Kołobrzeg is considered Poland’s largest health resort and a spa centre offering a wide range of health and beauty treatments.

The Slavs and Vikings Centre

The Wolin Island symbols are not only cliffs and the white-tailed eagle (the symbol of Wolinski National Park), but also the legendary Vikings. The nearby Ostrów Island is the seat of the village of Slavs and Vikings, a beautiful reconstruction of early-Middle Age Wolin. The annual rally of fans of “living archaeology” gathers over 1000 warriors and performers of old rituals and traditions, as well as several thousands of visitors from all over Europe.

On the water

An easy access to the sea, its welldeveloped river network with local

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t F estival of Slavs and Vikings

The annual rally of fans of “living archaeology” gathers over 1000 warriors, craftsmen, minstrels and performers of old rituals and traditions, as well as several thousands of visitors from all over Europe.

lakelands, and its favourable climate – these are the advantages which make this region a perfect place for active tourism and water sports. The West Pomeranian Sailing Trail is a real paradise for sailors enabling to travel by waterways from Berlin to the Baltic Sea. Szczecinek (with the Europe’s longest water ski and wakeboarding lift of almost 1100 m length) and the West Pomeranian Lake District are also great attractions for water sports enthusiasts.

Golf and Nordic walking

The region can be proud also from other sports. Here is Barlinek – the European Capital of Nordic Walking. The first and only such centre in Poland that provides

comprehensive tourist offer for all lovers of this sport. Apart from that the region has wonderful golf courses. There are four large championship golf courses in operation (Amber Baltic Golf Club on the Wolin Island, Binowo Park Golf Club in Binowo and Modry Las Golf Club in Choszczno and the Kamień Country Club in Grębowo). The golf courses of West Pomerania attract many visitors from all over Europe. t

West-Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organisation ul. Partyzantów 1, 70-222 Szczecin ✆ + 48 91 433 41 26 8 info@zrot.pl www.zrot.pl, www.morzeprzygody.eu

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fot. © 2012 Scholvien

Berlin TV Tower t

BERLIN fot. © Marc Darchinger

A modern metropolis with character

t East-Side Gallery

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German capital faced a huge challenge – how to unite two different parts of the city which have been functioning in different realities for fifty years.

The city chose modernity and entertainment.

That is why today Berlin is young, dynamic, creative, open and stunning modern metropolis. You will find there numerous attractions, cultural events, entertainment, countless clubs and many forms of relaxation. The peaceful places designed for leisure in nature are situated near from the business centers.

Entertainment and relax

The greenery and water are the real treasure of this city. Numerous parks occupy quite large area. Every district has its calming green oasis, like Zoological

BERLIN

t Reichstag The capital city of Germany Area: 891 km2

Population: 3,4 mln

Garden, Tempelhof Field, Görlitzer Park or Grunewald. The Spree and Havel rivers with the numerous irrigation canals are forming waterways with the total length of 190 km. Over the rivers there are almost two thousands of bridges and footbridges.

Along the banks of the Spree River there are urban beaches, swimming pools, wooden piers and pubs. Exclusive shops, hotels and cafes are located along one of the most famous streets of the city, Friedrichstrasse, where the life pulsates around the clock.

It is also close to one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin – Gendarmenmarkt.

Symbols of the city

Without doubt one of the most well-known landmarks of Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate. Other worth visiting places are: the Reichstag with a nice view of the city from the glass dome, TV tower which is one of the most popular attractions, the Museum Island (history and culture center) and the Berlin Wall (or rather its remainings) – Berlin Wall Museum and the Checkpoint Charlie which was the border crossing between East and West.

Remembrance of the past

The symbol of the recent past is 365 meter high TV Tower located on Alexanderplatz (often called simply Alex). The square was not only the center of East Berlin but it was also center of the whole German

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fot. © 2012 Scholvien

The greenery and water are the real treasure of this city. Numerous parks occupy quite large area.

Democratic Republic. Numerous streets diverge in all directions from the square (for example Karl-Marx-Allee with buildings in socialist classicism style). Within walking distance from the Alex there are: the Red Town Hall – the seat of the governing mayor of Berlin and Nikolaiviertel district revitalized in the mid 1980s in accordance with historical plans. Near the square you can also find some of the oldest churches in the city: Nikolaikirche built in 1230 and Marienkirche built in 1294.

Heritage List is located on Spreeinsel. From 1830 to 1930 the object acquired its form with its five buildings with exhibitions covering over 6,000 years of history and culture. The complex consists of 5 museums: the Old Museum, the New Museum re-opened in 2009, the Old National Gallery, the Pergamon Museum and the Bode Museum. t

Museum Island

Am Karlsbad 11, 10785 Berlin ✆ +49 (0) 30 25 00 25 8 info@visitBerlin.de

A unique ensemble of museum buildings, inscribed in 1999 on the UNESCO World

Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH

www.visitBerlin.com

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fot. © TMB-Fotoarchiv/Schwarz

Relax at the river t

BRANDENBURG fot. © TV Spreewald e.V.

All Around Berlin

t Spreewald

Around one third of Brandenburg’s landscape consists of nature reserves. 240 nature conservation areas, 11 landscape parks, 2 biosphere reserves and the Lower Oder Valley National Park provide a unique opportunity to relax in the bounty of nature. Culture and history enthusiasts will enjoy visiting a huge variety of historic monuments, palaces, castles mansions and medieval old towns

Brandenburg by canoe and bike

It is an ideal place for active tourism.

The region encompasses about 3,000 lakes and over 30,000 kilometres of waterways.

There are more than 7,000 kilometres of well-marked cycle paths. Brandenburgs´ inshore waters are stretching from the Havel lakes to the Oder Spree Lake District.

The inland water system, covering the area from Havel river to Lake Scharmützelsee is a true paradise for inland sailors and canoeists.

Flaeming Skate Park is the Europe’s longest network of trails for cyclists and inline

BRANDENBURG

fot. © SPSG/Leo Seidel

t The Sanssouci Palace

Population: around 2,5 mln

skaters. The over 200 km long circuit is pure relaxation for everyone on rollers and wheels. If you like skiing or snowboarding Snowtropolis invites you to winter sports activities all the year round.

On the other hand if you love tropics and beaches you have to discover the delights of Tropical Islands.

Spreewald

The region is a mix of nature and local heritage. River Spree divides here in the maze of rivers and canals with a total length of over 1000 km. The most exciting way of discovering the origin of its natural beauty is to go on a boat cruise. Rural character of this part of Brandenburg is reflected by regional cuisine. Local restaurants and taverns invite you to try some regional specialties like sour pickles or horseradish.

Here is the only in Germany Pickles Museum where you can learn about traditional recipes and have a taste of local meals.

A land of kings and filmmakers

The heritage of Brandenburg rulers is really stunning. Visitors can marvel at over 500 palaces and manors. The most valuable palaces and parks complexes occupy an area of 500 ​​ acres and include 150 historical buildings erected between 1730 and 1916. Potsdam’s culture landscapes including Sanssouci Palace and Park have been declared part of the UNESCO’s World

fot. © Filmpark Babelsberg

Capital of the land: Potsdam

Area: 29 477 km2

t B abelsberg Film Park

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Culture and history enthusiasts will enjoy visiting huge variety of historic monuments, palaces, castles mansions and medieval old towns.

Cultural Heritage. Apart from that the city of Potsdam has an over a hundred yearold tradition of film making. Studio Babelsberg is one of the oldest film studios in the world, over 2000 movies were made here. Today it still produces Oscar winning blockbusters as well as German TV series and soap operas. The Filmpark Babelsberg takes you to the world of film and television. From April to October the visitors can learn about the tricks used by film and TV professionals in several settings and exhibitions.

GDR – journey to the past

Eisenhüttenstadt, ranked as the “first socialist town on German soil“, reminds about the period of the GDR. The Eisenhüttenstadt Documentation Centre features a permanent exhibition on the GDR´s everyday culture and periodic special exhibitions on alternating topics concerning the everyday

life in the GDR. Another place worth visiting is Lichterfeld where you can admire the F 60 Conveyor Bridge. This gigantic construction impresses with a length of 500 meters, a height of 80 meters and a rate of 50,000 tons of excavated coal per hour. The F60 was in operation just for one year. It has been available for tourists since 2002. The 75 meters high vantage point enables visitors to admire unique landscape and Lake Bergheider See. t

TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH Am Neuen Markt 1, 14467 Potsdam ✆ +49 (0) 3 31/200 47 47 8 service@reiseland-brandenburg.de www.brandenburg-tourism.com

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fot. © TV Mecklenburg-Schwerin/Mosewald

Schwerin Castle t

MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN fot. © DZT e.v.

Natural resources and Hanseatic wealth

t Usedom island, the beach in Ahlbeck

The landscape of a federated state in Northeastern Germany consists of picturesque towns, white sandy beaches, 1900 km of the Baltic Coastline, lush meadows and green forests, three national parks (including the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park – the largest national park in the German part of the Baltic Sea coast)

Over 2000 crystal clear lakes (the Mecklenburg Lake District) and two big islands: Ruegen with impressive chalk cliffs and Usedom with imperial resorts. Additionally, wealthy merchants, princes and lords varied this picturesque landscape with mighty castles (the most beautiful is Schwerin castle), mansions, parks and gardens which attract crowds of visitors. Today, the region is the top tourist attraction with a record number of visitors (28 million guest nights per year).

Mecklenburg is the least industrial German state. For centuries, its wealth was associated with trade which was supported by its strategic location at the Baltic Sea. In the middle ages, Hansa (the union of commercial cities active from the 13th to the 15th century) enabled the flowering of many cities, especially coastal ones.

Among them there were Wismar and Stralsund. In 2002, their old towns were inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. You can find here historic brick churches, granaries, the mansions of wealthy merchants with decorative gables and magnificent town halls.

Oceanarium in Stralsund

The cities are full of fascinating museums.

Among the museums for the greatest interest of tourist we can find: Schwerin Castle, Gustrow and Ludwigslust. However, the most outstanding is the maritime museum in Stralsund. In this huge oceanarium you can see numerous exhibitions and aquariums.

The object invites visitors to an underwater journey through the northern seas. In 2010, the oceanarium was awarded the title of the best European museum. But the biggest impression on visitors make the models of whales reproduced at 1:1 scale and the giant aquarium which encompasses 2.6 million liters of water where you can observe the shoals of fish, stingrays and sharks.

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In the middle ages, Hansa (the union of commercial cities active from the 13th to the 15th century) enabled the flowering of many cities, especially coastal ones.

Imperial resorts

It all began in Heiligendamm, the oldest seaside resort in continental Europe. Later have emerged other resorts situated along the Baltic coast, the picturesque cities with characteristic seaside architecture, like Usedom Island. Numerous holiday resorts were flooded by waves of tourists who wanted to sunbathe and relax on white sand beaches. Three of them (Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin) are today connected with a promenade named “imperial road” and deserved to be called imperial resorts. The resorts were visited by the crowned heads, among which were the German Emperors Wilhelm I, Friedrich III and Wilhelm II, the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary Franz Joseph I and more recently the current Queen of Sweden, Silvia.

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Hanseatic Legacy

TMV

Population: about. 1,6 mln

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Area: 23 180 km2

t Ozeaneum Stralsund

t T he old city of Stralsund

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Capital of the land: Schwerin

fot. © OZEANEUM Stralsund/Schlorke

MECKLENBURG VORPOMMERN

Being active in Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania

The most scenic corners of the region can be explored by land and water.

Some tourists criss-cross the area in kayaks, houseboats, yachts or sail boats. They are echoed by cyclists and walkers who proceed to another impressive brick buildings, scenic cliffs or dense beech forests. t

Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V. Platz der Freundschaft 1, 18059 Rostock ✆ + 49 (0) 381 40 30 770 8 info@off-to-mv.com www.off-to-mv.com T HE ODE R P a rt n e r s h ip

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The Castle of Rochlitz t

SAXONY fot. Arch. TMGS

State of the arts

t The Old Masters Picture Gallery in Drezden

Germany is the country of artists, musicians, poets and thinkers and Saxony is the best evidence – it is Germany’s number one region of cultural tourism.

Here worked some of the greatest German composers – Richard Wagner and Johann Sebastian Bach

Saxony is also known for the manufacture of the famous Meissen porcelain. In Dresden you can enjoy the city’s abundance of art and architecture (from the magnificent Baroque, Art Nouveau, industrial buildings, to the contemporary design). Within a distance of only 50 kilometers you can find numerous pearls of nature and architecture, among which there are: Saxon Switzerland with its extraordinary rock formations and the vineyards on the slopes of the hills along the Elbe River. Not to mention castles, palaces, picturesque towns and the city of Leipzig – the world famous city of music.

Area: 18 415 km2

Population: about 4 mln

t T he concert St. Peter’s church, Freiberg

fot. Arch. TMGS

Capital of the land: Drezno

fot. Arch. TMGS

SAXONY

t Dresden

The city of art

Located on the river Elbe, Dresden is a city of Baroque architecture, music and culture.

It can boast many architectural gems, especially around the Theatre Square: the Zwinger, the Semperoper opera house (it is said to be one of the best theatres in the world in terms of its acoustic), the Brühl’s Terraces and great art treasures kept in National Art Collection. This elegant place in the heart of Dresden houses priceless collections in 12 separate museums is one of the most famous in the world. Foremost among the museums is the Green Vault in Castle-Residence. Equally famous is the Old Masters Picture Gallery housing works of art produced by famous artists during the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries (Titian, Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt) and an icon of art – the Sistine Madonna created by Raphael Sanzio.

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t T he porcelain painting in Meissen

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The Elbe River is the main waterway of this land. Thousands of tourists travel down the river, to Meissen, or up the river to Pillnitz, Pirna and the resorts huddling near the rock cliffs of Saxon Switzerland, mainly protected as National Park. It is a land of hills, forests and amazing sandstone rock formations that resemble bridges, spires and towers. The Park features 400 km of well-marked hiking trails, 50 km of cycling paths and numerous rock climbing areas.

It was here, where over a century ago the sport of classic climb was born.

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Germany is the country of artists, musicians, poets and thinkers and Saxony is the best evidence– it is Germany’s number one region of cultural tourism.

The city of music

Leipzig’s close ties with music began over 1,000 years ago. Established in 1212 boys’ choir Thomanerchor is one of the oldest choirs in the world. Johann Sebastian Bach held the post of Cantor of the St Thomas’s Choir for 27 years.

Currently, the Bach Festival takes place every year in Leipzig. Moreover, the city cultivates the musical heritage of composers such as Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn and Richard Wagner.

fascinating demonstrations of creating fragile works of art. The recipe for Meissen porcelain is a closely guarded secret, as well as composition of pigments and enamel. A small 10 cm figurine can cost several thousand Euros. Here you pay for the secret and the craft of artisans. The largest and undoubtedly priceless porcelain artwork is mural with a length of 102 meters. It is located in the old town of Dresden and depicts the retinue of the Saxon electors. t

The art of porcelain

The world-famous porcelain manufactory was founded in 1710 in a medieval town Meissen. Every year it is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists who are attracted by rich collection and

Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH Bautzner Str. 45-47, 01099 Dresden ✆ +49 351 49 17 00 www.sachsen-tourismus.de T HE ODE R P a rt n e r s h ip

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The City Hall of Stralsund V

fot. Š TMV/Werk3

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern The red brick Gothic buildings of the Hanseatic towns and the seaside resort architecture of the Baltic Sea. An exciting journey through Mecklenburg and Pomerania

Long TRAILS

Berlin Brandenburg

Moritzburg Castle V fot. Š TMGS Lohse

Saxony Fairy-tale castles, wonders of nature, and houses of worship.

A dream holiday to UNESCO cultural heritage sites in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Lower Silesia

LONG TRAILS

C The Piast Trail fot. Arch. WOT

On the trail of Vikings, Slavs, and the Germanic peoples.

A journey of discovery through Brandenburg, Zachodniopomorskie and Wielkopolska

Zachodniopomorskie

Lubuskie

Wielkopolskie Asparagus, currywurst, and pierogi, along with beer and honey.

A gourmet journey through Brandenburg, Dolny Śląsk, Lubuskie and Wielkopolska

Odra Oder

Dolnośląskie C Dumplings fot. Arch. POT

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MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN:

Short TRAILS 1-2 days Berlin – Wrocław – Berlin Berlin – Karkonosze mountains – Berlin

• Schwerin Castle • Ozeaneum Stralsund • Cesar’s Health Resorts on the Usedom Island • Chalk Cliffs on Rügen • Mecklenburg Lake District

Wismar

Schwerin

BERLIN: • Brandenburg Gate • Reichstag • Museum Island • Berlin TV Tower • Berlin Wall

Berlin – Żagań – Berlin Berlin – Lubuskie – Berlin Berlin – Usedom – Berlin Berlin – Schwerin – Wismar – Rostock – Berlin Berlin – Poznań – Berlin

BRANDENBURG: • Potsdam • Spreewald – UNESCO biosphere reserve • Eisenhüttenstadt – a model of socialist town • Babelsberg Film Park

Berlin – Wolsztyn – Rydzyna – Poznań – Berlin Berlin – Poznań – Gniezno – Berlin Berlin – Szczecin – Berlin Berlin – Szczecin – Kołobrzeg – Berlin Berlin – Szczecin – Swinoujście – Wolin – Berlin Berlin – Zielona Góra – Gorzów Wlkp. – Berlin

SAXONY: • Dresden State Art Collections • The Meissen Porcelain Manufactory • Saxon Switzerland • Leipzig – city of music

Rostock

SHORT TRAILS

ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE:

Kołobrzeg

• Szczecin Lagoon • Wolin island • Pomeranian Narrow Gauge Railway • Kołobrzeg – The Polish Spa Centre

Usedom Świnoujście Wolin

WIELKOPOLSKA:

Szczecin

• The Piast Trail • The only in Europe still operating steam locomotive shed in Wolsztyn • The Great Loop of Wielkopolska

Gniezno

Gorzów Wlkp.

Berlin

Poznań

Lubuskie Wolsztyn Rydzyna Zielona Góra

LUBUSKIE: • Międzyrzecz Fortification Region • The Muskau Park (UNESCO list) • The Woodstock Festival • The Lubuskie Wine and Honey Trail

Żagań

Karkonosze mountains

DOLNOŚLĄSKIE:

Wrocław

• Wrocław – the European Capital of Culture 2016 • The Lower Silesian Castles and Palaces Trail • The South West Cistercian Trail – a trail for motorists • The Milicz Ponds – the largest complex of ponds with 800 years tradition.

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