Schwerin has always been a city of water sports. The first sailing club was founded in 1894 and the first motorboats sailed across the lake in the 1930s. Nevertheless, it has never been a top destination for nautical tourism. The reason becomes immediately clear when you look at the map. Schwerin lies at a dead end. It is possible to reach Schwerin from the Elbe or from the Mecklenburg Lake District via the Müritz-Elde Waterway (MEW) and the Stör Canal on your own keel. However, shipping ends at the Schwerin Outer Lake.
The seaport of Wismar is only 15 kilometres away. The knee-deep stream that flows from Lake Schwerin into the Baltic Sea is now called Wallensteingraben. It was navigable 430 years ago.
While boating tourism from the Elbe via the MEW towards Müritz is booming, Schwerin and the Schwerin lakes are literally left behind. At the Elbe triangle, where the Stör Canal leads from the MEW towards Schwerin, comparatively few boats turn off towards the state capital. The well-known large charter companies have also withdrawn from the Schwerin cul-de-sac.
The detour to Schwerin is worthwhile
Is the Mecklenburg state capital unattractive for boat tourists? No, on the contrary! Anyone who enjoys travelling by boat will fall in love with Schwerin. It is only a few steps from the city centre jetties to the cultural metropolis of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Museums, art galleries, theatres, concerts - everything is concentrated in the triangle between the castle island, cathedral and Marstall peninsula.
Those who have had enough of culture and art will find secluded nature on Schwerin's inner lake and even more so on the outer lake.
Travelling to Schwerin with your own boat? Travelling on inland waterways from Hamburg, Lübeck or Berlin is admittedly time-consuming. A nice alternative is to hire a small sports boat locally and explore Schwerin and the lakes. Day cruisers are available at Bootscharter Schwerin am Schloss (No.03) or at Marina Nord Schwerin (No.07), where you can stay right next to the boat.
If you just want to see the city, a weekend is enough. To explore Schwerin, including the inner and outer lakes, you should plan a week. You can cross all the canals and bridges in the city centre with the local sports boats. Under no circumstances will you pass through the Wallensteingraben. I tried it once with a kayak - it was a pain. If you want to navigate the Wallensteingraben by motorboat, you will need a lot of patience - perhaps you will live to see it.
Once upon a time: The Wallenstein Trench
From 1594, the Viechel Canal from Lake Schwerin to Wismar, built under Duke Ulrich, was navigable for ships with a cargo of up to 24 tonnes. Due to damage to the 12 locks, the canal fell into disrepair from 1597. In 1628, Duke Albrecht von Wallenstein decided to rebuild the canal. The idea stuck. Since then, the canal has been called the Wallensteingraben.
In the 1930s, plans were drawn up to develop the Wallensteingraben into a modern waterway. The difference in level of 38 metres to the Baltic Sea was to be overcome by an inclined ship trough. The war put an end to the plans.
In the 1970s, the GDR planned the construction of the canal on the basis of the pre-war project planning. The East German inland shipping industry was to be connected to a GDR seaport. The plan failed because the USSR was unable to supply the high-quality steel for the ship's trough.
Since 2005, the Walleinstein Waterway Association for the construction of the canal. The ground-breaking ceremony was planned for Buga 2009. The project failed in 2008 due to a veto by the Schwerin district council. For the time being.
Schwerin: As a guest in the royal seat
- Schwerin Yacht Club: Club harbour next to the Kalkwerder outdoor pool. Guest berths only on request. Electricity, water, WC, showers, faeces extraction system, slip.
- Schlossbucht Sailing Club:Attractively located Club harbour with a view of the castle. 40 guest berths up to 8 metres long with electricity, water, WC, shower, slip. Camping possible.
- Boat charter Schwerin at the castle:Directly at the castle (next to the White Fleet), licence-free and licence-required Motorboats for day trips rented.
- Schweriner Segler-Verein von 1894: Traditional club In a prime location on the Marstall Peninsula with comprehensive services for guest berths: electricity, water, shower, WC, washing machines/dryers, WLAN, waste disposal, chemical toilet disposal, slip and crane (1.9 tonnes), guest rooms, tents, catering.
- Mecklenburg State Theatre Sports Club: The association Located in the so-called Beutel north of the Marstall peninsula. Guest pitches with electricity, water, WC, showers, washing machines/dryers, WLAN, slip (8 m), camping possible.
- Schwerin city harbour:The public jetty in the city centre consists of a 42 m long jetty at the western end of the pouch. No service.
- Marina Nord Schwerin:Very Idyllically situated marina On the northern shore of Lake Heidensee with comprehensive services for permanent residents and guests: electricity, water, WC, showers, washing machines, chemical toilet disposal, WLAN, slips, flats, camping possible, motorboat hire.
- Storage at the Ziegelsee:Guest seats in front of the Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee with WC, WLAN and catering. Free of charge for hotel guests. The 350 metre long former loading pier to the north can now be used free of charge as a municipal berth. No service.
- Yacht Club Frankenhorst:Club harbour at the northernmost tip of the Ziegelsee, not far from the Seehotel Frankenhorst. Pitches are available only on request.
The Schwerin Inner Lake
- Kaninchenwerder:The islands of Kaninchenwerder and Ziegelwerder in the southern part of Lake Schwerin are protected. While Ziegelwerder may not be entered, it is possible to moor in Kaninchenwerder harbour. The observation tower, built in 1895, can be reached via a paved path.
- Paulsdamm marina:Well-kept private harbour, seven guest berths with electricity, water, WC and restaurant right next door. For overnight stays please contact the harbour master on 0162-5875994.
The Schwerin Outer Lake
- Seehof holiday park:Jetty of the Campsite for boats with a draught of up to 0.7 m. No service.
- To the angler Lübstorf:Club harbour with electricity, water, WC, shower, slip and rustic anglers' pub. Guest berths up to 0.6 m draught. Tel. 0152-531 468 96.
- Marina Heimathafen Bad Kleinen: Well-kept small marina Guest pitches with electricity, water. No sanitary facilities.
- Hohen Viecheln Sailing Club: Club harbour with two guest berths with electricity, water, WC, shower, crane (2 tonnes). Not far from the harbour is the Hohen Viecheln hall church dating from 1310, an outstanding monument to North German brick Gothic architecture.
- Fisheries Prignitz:Guest seats without service on Footbridge of the municipality. Next door at Fischerhof Prignitz there is a slip (please call in advance: 0172-39 38 700) and delicious smoked fish from Lake Schwerin.
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Bodo Müller
Freier Autor
