When you think of resort towns Ueckermünde isn’t the first place that might come to mind. Too bad, this town in the far north on the Oder Lagoon by the Baltic Sea is just dynamite.
It wouldn’t be fair to say that Ueckermünde is only good for being a seaside vacation spot with nothing else to offer. In the Old Town you’ll find many framework houses. On Rathausgasse 2 is a gorgeous example of an 18th century framework building (it’s now a welfare agency).
Along the Church Square there are cafes and shops. Missing a visit to the Baroque style Marienkirche (Marien Church) and the Tierpark (with over 100 species of animals, including lions) would be a mistake. I’d bet the kids would never let you leave that one down if they didn’t get to see the animal park!
The younger ones might want to forgo a visit to the Haffmuseum, the town’s early history and urban history museum. I’m a big kid and I wouldn’t want to miss it!
The Town Hall in Ueckermünde was once the Herzogsschloss, a castle built way back in 1178. It was occupied by the Swedish during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century; and used as a bank and prison through the years. It’s been the town’s Town Hall since the mid 18th century; and sadly it’s donjon (tower) was destroyed by a fire in 1908.
I see… you must be exhausted after touring Ueckermünde. Go relax on the town’s sandy beaches taking in the sea air and getting some sun. Other outdoor activities include walking and cycling trails through the natural heath and woodlands. It’s not all beach-going stuff around here! ;-)
It’s amazing what you’ll find in towns in Meck-Pomm (our lovely short form for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). The north of Germany is unlike anyplace you can imagine; and it’s a place like Ueckermünde that makes it that way.