The terms Brandenburg and Switzerland are, at least topographically, a contradicting each other. Switzerland is a mountainous country, Brandenburg - a perfectly flat plain. Still, Brandenburg's Switzerland (Die Maerkische Schweiz) is the official name of the area located east of Berlin, in the neighboring federal state of Brandenburg. Most of the area is a nature reserve with spectacular scenery of forests, streams, alpine meadows. If such a name is justified, so is the nickname of the town of Buckow: "the pearl of Brandenburg's Switzerland" (1,700 inhabitants) located about halfway between the cities Berlin and Frankfurt-am-Oder.
So if you plan traveling to Berlin, or happen to be there, Brandenburg's Switzerland, and its pearl could be a good idea for a cool vacation. Just imagine: being in Switzerland without having to climb anything.
Buckow's picturesque houses are standing on seven hills. It has been more than 150 years a popular vacation resort. The area is characterized by peace and quiet, and even more by the clear air. According to a written document, The Prussian King Frederick, the 4th (who ruled his country from 1861 to 1840) was told by his physician: Your Excellency, in Buckow - the lungs are smooth as velvet.
The best evidence for the town's historical fame is the abundance of baths, spa hotels, guest houses and a sanatorium. The most prominent intellectuals who became residents were the celebrated playwright Bertolt Brecht and actress Helena Weigel. The couple was fascinated by the landscape and acquired in 1952 one of the houses on the shore of the nearby lake Schermuetzelsee.
Brecht wrote there his book of poems "Buckowian elegies" (Buckower Elegien). By the way, anyone who is interested in Brecht and his work may also visit the memorial site of Brecht-Weigel in Berlin (address: Chausseestrasse 125, Mitte).
Today, the Brecht - Weigel site not only serves as a memory but also as a cultural center, with reading evenings and concerts.
In the northern part of Brandenburg's Switzerland, the village Ihlow is located. There are many art courses and workshops there. For several years, people from across Germany have settled down in the vicinity. Abandoned houses and barns were converted into art workshops, organic farms, and a used book store which is the largest in east Brandenburg.
West to the nature reserve, the village Garzau is situated. The site used to be an estate of the Order of Cistercians. On a hill surrounded by a typical English landscape, stands a pyramid, built by Count Schmettau, a close friend of Frederick the Great' King of Prussia. Over the years, the pyramid collapsed into rubble. However, a German ophthalmologist, who spent his childhood in Garzau, initiated the restoration of the building, with private donations.
Arriving from Berlin to Brandenburg's Switzerland
Regional Train
The NE26 regional railway line, departs from Berlin-Lichtenberg station once an hour, through Rehfelde and Muencheberg. From Muencheberg station take the bus line 928 to Buckow.
On weekends and public holidays during the summer, bus line 930 is available from Muencheberg..
There is also a local train called the little railway (Kleinbahn). The train connects the stations Muencheberg, Waldsieversdorf and Buckow. The travel time is 12 minutes. The train has been disabled for a while because its rails were stolen, but has since resumed its operation.
Urban Train (S-Bahn)
Line S5 goes from Berlin to Strausberg-Hegermuehle station or Strausberg-Nord. From these stations take a bus or ride bicycle (European bike route R1)..
Car
The area is located approximately 30 miles from the center of Berlin. There are two driving options. One of them is the route B1 / 5 to Hohenstein, Ruhlsdorf, Oberbarnim or Buckow. Another option is to take route B 1 / 5 towards Frankfurt / Oder (Frankfurt / Oder) to Muencheberg through Waldsieversdorf, Buckow, Oberbarnim.
You can find much more information about Brandenburg's Switzerland and other cool places in Berlin and Germany in my web site
http://www.berlinwalking.com
So if you plan traveling to Berlin, or happen to be there, Brandenburg's Switzerland, and its pearl could be a good idea for a cool vacation. Just imagine: being in Switzerland without having to climb anything.
Buckow's picturesque houses are standing on seven hills. It has been more than 150 years a popular vacation resort. The area is characterized by peace and quiet, and even more by the clear air. According to a written document, The Prussian King Frederick, the 4th (who ruled his country from 1861 to 1840) was told by his physician: Your Excellency, in Buckow - the lungs are smooth as velvet.
The best evidence for the town's historical fame is the abundance of baths, spa hotels, guest houses and a sanatorium. The most prominent intellectuals who became residents were the celebrated playwright Bertolt Brecht and actress Helena Weigel. The couple was fascinated by the landscape and acquired in 1952 one of the houses on the shore of the nearby lake Schermuetzelsee.
Brecht wrote there his book of poems "Buckowian elegies" (Buckower Elegien). By the way, anyone who is interested in Brecht and his work may also visit the memorial site of Brecht-Weigel in Berlin (address: Chausseestrasse 125, Mitte).
Today, the Brecht - Weigel site not only serves as a memory but also as a cultural center, with reading evenings and concerts.
In the northern part of Brandenburg's Switzerland, the village Ihlow is located. There are many art courses and workshops there. For several years, people from across Germany have settled down in the vicinity. Abandoned houses and barns were converted into art workshops, organic farms, and a used book store which is the largest in east Brandenburg.
West to the nature reserve, the village Garzau is situated. The site used to be an estate of the Order of Cistercians. On a hill surrounded by a typical English landscape, stands a pyramid, built by Count Schmettau, a close friend of Frederick the Great' King of Prussia. Over the years, the pyramid collapsed into rubble. However, a German ophthalmologist, who spent his childhood in Garzau, initiated the restoration of the building, with private donations.
Arriving from Berlin to Brandenburg's Switzerland
Regional Train
The NE26 regional railway line, departs from Berlin-Lichtenberg station once an hour, through Rehfelde and Muencheberg. From Muencheberg station take the bus line 928 to Buckow.
On weekends and public holidays during the summer, bus line 930 is available from Muencheberg..
There is also a local train called the little railway (Kleinbahn). The train connects the stations Muencheberg, Waldsieversdorf and Buckow. The travel time is 12 minutes. The train has been disabled for a while because its rails were stolen, but has since resumed its operation.
Urban Train (S-Bahn)
Line S5 goes from Berlin to Strausberg-Hegermuehle station or Strausberg-Nord. From these stations take a bus or ride bicycle (European bike route R1)..
Car
The area is located approximately 30 miles from the center of Berlin. There are two driving options. One of them is the route B1 / 5 to Hohenstein, Ruhlsdorf, Oberbarnim or Buckow. Another option is to take route B 1 / 5 towards Frankfurt / Oder (Frankfurt / Oder) to Muencheberg through Waldsieversdorf, Buckow, Oberbarnim.
You can find much more information about Brandenburg's Switzerland and other cool places in Berlin and Germany in my web site
http://www.berlinwalking.com