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Heiligendamm

Heiligendamm

Heiligendamm, located on the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, is a notable seaside resort. Part of the municipality of Bad Doberan, this little but important location has a centuries-standing reputation for elegance and a rich history. Although exact population statistics for this particular resort region are not easily accessible, their influence on European leisure culture much transcends their small scale.

A monument to its continuing attraction and historical relevance, Heiligendamm is the oldest beach spa in continental Europe. Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg launched this seaside paradise in 1793, and it soon became a famous sanctuary for upper society and royalty. The Grand Duke’s idea turned Heiligendamm into a special gathering spot where the elite may relax from the demands of everyday life and savor the curative qualities of sea air and sophisticated surroundings.

Development of the resort between 1793 and 1870 was nothing less than a masterwork of urban design and architecture. Visionaries such as Johann Christoph, Heinrich von Seydwitz, Carl Theodor Severin, and Gustav Adolph Demmler worked together to produce a harmonic collection of structures that would characterize Heiligendamm’s distinctive personality. Their efforts produced what can only be called a Gesamtkunstwerk—a whole work of art—that deftly combined opulent lodging with bathing amenities.

Heiligendamm’s magnificent coastal promenade most clearly displays its architectural beauty. With their evocative nicknames “White Pearl” (Weiße Perle) and “White Town by the Sea” (Die weiße Stadt am Meer), lines of classicist white buildings bear witness to the golden heyday of the resort. Visitors are still enthralled by these immaculate buildings with their attractive facades and classic architecture, which also act as a visual link to the resort’s rich history.

Heiligendamm was Germany’s most sophisticated seashore resort throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. German Emperors among its most frequent guests, its guest list reads like a who’s-who of European royalty. Beyond Germany’s boundaries, Heiligendamm drew aristocrats from all over the continent looking for the ideal summer vacation.

The turbulent events of the 20th century brought Heiligendamm notable transformations. The great structures of the resort were converted into sanatoria and recovery hospitals during World War II, effectively turning the emphasis from pleasure to health and rehabilitation. Mecklenburg’s later inclusion into the German Democratic Republic (GDR) brought about more changes in the scene of Heiligendamm. Certain of the old buildings succumbed to the utilitarian tastes of the communist era, replaced by more practical, but less appealing, constructions.

Heiligendamm entered a new chapter when the Berlin Wall fell and Germany was reunited in 1989 and 1990. Investors started a bold restoration project after realizing the resort’s previous grandeur had promise. The Kempinski Grand Hotel opened in 2003, revitalizing six ancient buildings—including the famous Kurhaus on the beachfront—by means of modern design.

But the road to renewal has not been without difficulties. Local locals have some debate over the reconstruction, especially with relation to the rerouting of important roadways and cycling routes. Another issue with maintaining the architectural integrity of the region was the destruction of a prominent structure inside the historic ensemble. Still, initiatives to rebuild and repair other houses go on; one project finished in 2011 is the refurbishment of the building next to the Grand Hotel.

The comeback of Heiligendamm as a premium travel destination has drawn interest from all around and well-known guests. During his official visit to Germany in 2006, the resort hosted US President George W. Bush. Heiligendamm became well-known worldwide the next year as the venue of the 33rd G8 conference. Although the event highlighted the resort’s ability to accommodate international leaders, it also attracted hundreds of anti-globalization activists to the area, therefore stressing the intricate interaction between Heiligendamm’s unique background and modern global concerns.

Central to the modern character of the resort, the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm opened a new chapter in 2013 when it was bought by Paul Morzynski, an accountant with Hannover headquartered. Aiming to improve the guest experience while honoring the hotel’s historical relevance, his ambition for the property is cautious growth and rearrangement.

Heiligendamm presents to guests today a special fusion of historical appeal and contemporary elegance. A living museum of European coastal development, the resort architecture close to the shore combines classicist and historicist forms. Although some areas of the Grand Hotel are open to the public, travelers are urged to explore politely and with awareness of hotel guest privacy.

Among Heiligendamm’s most endearing qualities is the narrow-gauge steam train sometimes known as the “Molli.” Operating since 1886, this pleasant means of transportation links Heiligendamm with Kühlungsborn and Bad Doberan, providing visitors with a nostalgic trip across the seaside scenery.

Heiligendamm boasts two famous religious buildings for people seeking spiritual comfort. While the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart (Herz-Jesu-Kapelle) lies close, both providing quiet havens for contemplation, the Protestant Forest Church (Evangelische Waldkirche) has been wonderfully refurbished following German reunification.

Without a walk along Heiligendamm’s 200-meter-long pier, no trip to the town would be whole. Approaching the Baltic Sea, this construction offers unmatched views of the White Pearl Mansions bordering the shore, therefore providing the ideal vantage point to enjoy the architectural brilliance and natural beauty of the resort.

Euro (€) (EUR)

Currency

1793

Founded

+49 (Germany) + 38203 (local)

Calling code

175

Population

/

Area

German

Official language

5 meters (16 feet) above sea level

Elevation

CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)

Time zone

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