Tollense Valley. Never heard of it? Go there!
Almost 25 years ago, 30 minutes by car south of Greifswald in Northern Germany, architect Andrea Ruiken-Fabich and her husband Dr. Falk Fabich saved one of the region's most important architectural monuments, Schloss Schmarsow.
The rich cultural and natural landscape which surrounds the castle is featured in a film made recently about the Tollense valley, which is largely unknown outside of Western Pomerania.
The film was commissioned by the local business association MILAN Mit Lust an Natur e.V. [ Milan, eng. kite or small hawk, Longing for Nature inc. (approx. translation)], which is chaired by Andrea Ruiken-Fabich. The association has set itself the goal of strengthening tourism, trade and crafts in the structurally weak region, counteracting the rural exodus and emphasising the importance of ‘soft location factors’ such as unspoilt nature, tranquillity and remoteness.
The floodplain landscape, with its biodiversity, moor and cultural landscapes and numerous architectural monuments, offers a wide range of natural and cultural treasures. Among them, also known only to insiders, is the site of the oldest known battlefield in Europe from the Bronze Age.
The 5‑minute film, made by the creators of Gutshauspod [The Manor House Pod], can be found here (German version).
A 90-minute documentary about the Battle of the Tollense valley, released in August 2024, can be found on ARTE.
Text: Ulrich Stefan Knoll
Picture credits: © Tobias Nikolajew, Ralf Grützbach / Der Gutshauspod (all)
0 Comments