Today I got to discover the town of Dahme (Mark). Located within the Teltow-Fläming District, and along the Dahme River, its thirteen districts made me feel right at home.
The hardest thing to figure out about Dahme was, do I start with all the nature stuff, or do I start with all its historical stuff. No, I didn’t flip a coin this time (it’s gotten old) — I picked it out of a hat. ;-)
Ahh, nature wins yet again. So, off to the Dahme Heideseen I went. Not all of it, mind you, it is some 594 square miles. But, I did learn the nature reserve area has some 100 lakes, has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and is great for bird watching.
Then again, if all that hiking is too much for you, then I would suggest sitting around the Körbaer Teich. It’s a pond that’s just wonderful for family picnics, boating, and nude sunbathing. Sorry, not for me — I’m not that brave.
Those wishing to keep their clothes on, come on over to the Schlossruine. This once grand Baroque palace is now in utter ruin, but you can still see how magnificent this grande dame once was. Another must-see ruin are the ruins of Bärwalde, located on what was once the Prussian/Saxon border. It has a long history, all the way back to the 12th century — but sadly didn’t survive the 20th.
Dahme’s medieval history isn’t limited to just two castles. In the village of Niebendorf, the town’s Baroque church is really a Romanesque one from the Middle Ages; and the St. Mary Church’s foundations are more than 800 years old. However, the crowning glory of Dahme’s days of the Middle Ages is its former Klosterkirche, built for the Carmelites back in 1300.
A lot of the town’s history is best learned at the Local History Museum, with many exhibits on life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Life in the 21st century, however, seems to be a lot more fun. Come to the Christmas Market, the Fläming Culture Days, the Spring Festival, and the Countryfest to see what I’m talking about.
With all of Dahme (Mark)’s natural beauty, its history, and its ultra-fun atmosphere — I shall never again “almost” forget how great this region truly is.
