2007 G8 Summit Magazine - (Page 39) Sea Health Spa Heiligendamm - first German seaside resort f you are arriving by boat, the first things you see are the classic villas sitting like “pearls on a string” along the beachfront. These former lodging houses hold well sounding names such as pearl, swan, stag or crosier. The last three are also to be found on the Coat of Arms of the city of Bad Doberan showing the close connection between the two towns of Heiligendamm and Bad Doberan. The history of Heiligendamm began in 1793, when the Duke of Mecklenburg, Friedrich Franz I, inspired by his personal doctor, Professor Vogel, founded the first German sea resort close to his residence in Bad Doberan. Professor Vogel wanted to use the wholesome effect of swimming in seawater to heal the diseases and weaknesses of the human body. Sixty years prior to the start in Heiligendamm, people were already bathing and swimming in places along the British Isles. The Duke didn’t like to see his wealthy citizens squander money in foreign countries. He felt they should be able to do that at home. Thus he created the “Weiße Stadt am Meer”, the white city by the sea, a one of its kind in Germany. The main bath house was created during the years of 1814-1816 by the architect Severin and carries the inscription “HEIC TE LAETITIA INVITAT POST BALNEA SANUM” meaning ‘happiness awaits those who become cured after bathing’ on one of the gables. This saying became the leading motto for people visiting Heiligendamm. The main bath house built in the style of a classical temple and facing the sea counts as one of Mecklenburgs most beautiful buildings. The owners of Heiligendamm have changed over the years, but it continued to be an exclusive sea side resort up until the end of WWII. In 1948 the resort was back in business and from 1957-1990 Heiligendamm was run as a government owned social welfare sanatorium. A new beginning was necessary. It got started with the construction of the MEDIAN - rehabilitation centre, which opened in 1997. The long tradition of healing is now continuing in a more modern setting. Clean Baltic Sea and fresh sea air guarantee successful treatment today as in the past. The majority of historical buildings have been sold to an investor whose aim is to let the first German sea resort shine with renewed splendor. The first step was the restoration of the most important buildings and in May of 2003 the Kempinski Grand Hotel opened its doors. This hotel has already received numerous awards acknowledging the quality of accommodation and service which meet the highest of standards. The Kempinski Grand Hotel is recognized worldwide, particularly in the areas of culinary arts and wellness. Future developments planned include a Thalasso wellness centre, a congress centre and a golf course as well as an increase in bed capacity. I The most original way to arrive in Heiligendamm is via the small gauge railway on a steam engine train called “Molli”. The huffing and puffing steam train runs between the seaside resorts on a daily basis, even in wintertime. Enjoy a train ride with Molli and afterwards take a look at the Dukes waiting room in the historic train station. For special events “Molli” also stops at the “Ostseerennbahn”, the oldest horse racing track in Europe, located halfway between Bad Doberan and Heiligendamm. The annual horse race meeting, reintroduced in 1993, is one of the highlights of the summer season. Other popular places to visit are the small forest churches which were built around the 19th century. Today they host regular church services and concerts. Feel welcome to come and spend time with us! Points of interest: the Gothic minster with the former cloister gardens, the ensemble of historical buildings around the central park “Am Kamp”, the city and bathing museum, the “Ehm Welk Haus”, the race course, the small gauge railway with the steam engine “Molli,” art gallery Alexandrinenhof and various local art galleries. Day trips: Kühlungsborn, Glashäger Quellental, Hütter Wohld, Kühlung, village churches in Steffenshagen, Parkentin and Retschow, glassblowers and potters in Glashagen, the memorial park in Retschow, and the Hanseatic cities of Rostock and Wismar. Information / booking service: Tourist-Information Bad Doberan / Heiligendamm Severinstr. 6 D-18209 Bad Doberan phone: +49 (0) 38203 / 62 154 fax: +49 (0) 38203 / 77 050 email: info@bad-doberan-heiligendamm.de Internet: www.bad-doberan-heiligendamm.de http://www.bad-doberan-heiligendamm.de http://www.bad-doberan-heiligendamm.de
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