Heiligendamm
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Heiligendamm is part of Bad Doberan, situated at the Baltic Sea in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany, in the Bad Doberan Landkreis. The narrow gauge railway Mollibahn links the seaside resort to Kühlungsborn and Bad Doberan. In 2007, it is set to hold the 33rd summit of G8 leaders.
[edit] History
Heiligendamm is the oldest seaside resort in Germany at the Baltic coast, developed as the nobility and high society's elegant meeting place. Because of the classicist buildings along the promenade the town is called "White Town by the Sea". Its first guest, and the one responsible for its growth in popularity, was the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Frederick Francis I, in 1793. In the following years Johann Christoph, Heinrich von Seydwitz, Carl Theodor Severin, and Gustav Adolph Demmler created between 1793 and 1870 a veritable Gesamtkunstwerk of bathing and lodging. Following its establishment, Heiligendamm was always the most elegant seaside resort in Germany. Into the 30's the European nobility, including the family of the Russian Czar, used it as a summer getaway. After the Second World War the buildings of Heiligendamm were used as a sanatorium and recovery ward. Sadly, under communist rule, some of its famous buildings were demolished and replaced by more utilitarian structures. After the reunification a group of investors purchased most buildings and conducted renovations. In the spring 2003 a new building, the Kempinski Grand Hotel was opened. Development has led to some conflict with residents, as smaller streets and bikepaths have been removed or rerouted.
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