The town has developed spectacularly over recent years, acquiring new graces to go with its old, familiar charms. Its changing face can best be enjoyed by taking a leisurely stroll or a guided tour.
A jewel of North German brick Gothic
Consecrated in 1368, the High Gothic Doberaner Münster with its original and distinctive mediaeval interior furnishings is visited by thousands. Formerly the church of a Cistercian monastery founded in 1186, it is the most important example of mediaeval architecture in Mecklenburg -Western Pomerania.
The monastery grounds around the church are gradually being developed, with new landscaping work, for instance, being carried out in the park. An extensive range of guided tours on different themes related to the history of the church and monastery is available for the interested visitor.
A diverse townscape
Alongside the Gothic monastery stand numerous buildings in the Classic style, built following the choice of Doberan as the summer residence of the grand dukes of Mecklenburg and the establishment of the first German sea-bathing resort at Heiligendamm in the late 18th century.
Among these are the Salongebäude and the Grand-Ducal Palace with their historic rooms. On the Kamp, the town's historic green, two pavilions built in the Chinese style add a further touch of variety to the urban landscape.
Health and relaxation
For almost two hundred years, Bad Doberan has been well-known as a spa, and today the traditional cure is still available at the modern "Moorbad" clinic. Mud from the marsh at the town's edge gained a reputation for its healing powers, and in combination with rediscovered natural remedies it still helps provide optimal conditions for the cure of numerous diseases.
Other visitors, such as walkers, cyclists, nature-lovers, and those with an interest in culture will find many opportunities for relaxation and recreation in the town, in the hilly, wooded countryside round about, and on the Baltic coast. Popular excursion destinations are the Glashäger Quellental, the Hütter Wohld and the Conventer Niederung.
Many attractions
Since 1886 Bad Doberan has been connected to the Baltic coast by the "Molli" steam railway. Children aren't the only ones to be thrilled by a trip through the town's streets on the puffing and rattling little train, to judge by the thousands of feet of film of the photogenic little railway that are shot each year by amateur film-makers.
Other attractions include an arts centre with workshops, galleries and cafe, the Ehm Welk Haus for lovers of literature, and the Kornhaus with its wide range of art courses for young and old.
Bad Doberan also offers its visitors an extensive and distinctive programme of events. The high point of each season is the Baltic Sea meeting at Germany's oldest racecourse, opened in 1822.
The "Aqua nostra" water festival, the annual Zappanale, the summer-evening theatre in the garden of the Ehm Welk Haus, the Bikers' Service, the many concerts at the Minster and the Summer Festivals are all worth a visit.
Tourist information and room reservations
Tel.: 038-203-62154, Fax: 77050
E-Mail: touristinfo@bad-doberan.de
