Minster Bad Doberan

This 700 year old Minster was a Cistercian Monastery. The interior is considered the best preserved example of its type in all of Europe. When it was built, it was the outstanding religious center of the area. Even after the dissolution of the Abbey in the 16th century, it still retained its importance in the local community.

The exterior of the building and its surroundings are beautiful. The interior is large and contains several tombs, monuments and much furniture. Our guide was able to give us a lot of information about the history of the Minster from its planning up to the present day. When we arrived, a wedding party was just leaving the building.

It is an interesting and thought provoking place to visit from several perspectives: history, religion, architecture, sociology and art. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Kempinski Grand Hotel Heiligendamm

The Grand Hotel in Heilingendamm was used during the G8 summit. I was told that President Bush stayed in the building in this picture. This summit occured in 2007.

We passed this hotel on the bus ride during our tour of East Germany. Heilingendamm, like Warnemunde, is a seaside resort.

Train in Town

As the "Moli" narrow gauge train leaves the station, it travels along the streets of the town. The tour guide told us that we would be close enough to steal a coffee off the tables of the cafes. She was just about right.

Cars had to make way for us and wait for us to pass.

It reminded me of St. Catherines in Ontario, Canada. They have train tracks in one part of town as well. Only there the trains are pulled by diesel engines, not steam engines!

"Molli" Train

The Molli train runs on a narrow gauge railroad. We boarded the train in Bad Doberan. I took this picture in Heiligendamm when our train was waiting at the siding for another train to pass. The journey ended in Kuhlungsborn.

The trains are pulled by steam engines. I believe they are 2-8-2s. I took 60+ pictures of them, but not a single one has a really clear view of all the wheels. :(

For me this was a high point in our trip. I love trains, especially old steam engines. The trip was only about 30 minutes, but is really enjoyable. I highly recommend it.