Schaalsee

If you have had enough of the loud and bustling noise of Hamburg and you are looking for something with more nature and relaxation then you should turn your back on the metropolis and turn the wheel of your hire car to the East. After barely an hour you can find yourself

standing in greenery- as in the lakeside of Schaalsee, Mecklenburg Vorpommern. At 72m the lake is the deepest in north Germany and can be found about 300 square metres (116 square miles) from the large biosphere reserve Schaalsee. The reserve was credited by UNESCO in 2001. All around the lake you can discover nature whether you are on foot, on a bicycle or in a car.

You can get to the Schaalsee by taking the A24 in the direction of Berlin and then leave at junction 9, Zarrentin. From here you can drive along the B195 to the Schaalsee. Zarrentin is a small town with less than 5000 inhabitants, pretty half-timbered houses and in part really bumpy cobblestones on the edge of the Schaalsee. At the time of the GDR this location lay in the East German restricted area- the inner-German border ran through the middle of the lake. Entrance could only be gained by residents and visitors with a pass.

The marginality of the border is a reason why the nature here for the last few decades has remained untouched and rare examples of Flora and Fauna are still resident today. For example moray eels live in the approximately 24 square kilometre large Schaalsee. The fish are not only a symbol on the coat of arms of Zarrentin but are also very popular in gastronomy. It is best to ask the town fishmonger Rehbohm and Voß on the lakeside after their daily catch. The fishermen who always fish at the lake are usually famous for telling their exciting stories from the times they have gone to fish on the lake- Of course with their strong Mecklenburg accent.

History that you must find out about can be found beyond the walls of the Zarrentin convent with its entire cross-ribbed vault from the 13th century. Those of you that dare to jump in the deep, particularly cold water of the Schaalsee lake will find many designated places on the lake for bathing opportunities or in the Zarrentin outdoor swimming pool.

In order to go deeper into the Biosphere of the Reserve, a further journey from Zarrentin in the direction of Lassahn is recommended. Just inside the entrance to the resort is a pathway leading off to the left towards the lakeside and a bridge across to the island of Stintenburg. You can only reach the island on foot, cars have to stay on the mainland. The island not only has the castle of the former count Bernstorff but also wonderful romantic pathways through the untouched woodland. You will see it’s definitely worth a trip!