Ribnitz-Damgarten

Ribnitz-Damgarten is a town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. It is situated at the Recknitz[?] river, close to its mouth into the Baltic Sea. Ribnitz-Damgarten is the largest town (but not the capital) of the district Nordvorpommern. Population: 17,600 (2000).

The town calls itself "amber town", since there are great deposits of amber around. Ribnitz-Damgarten is a gate to the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, as the Darß peninsula belonging to this park is situated north of the town.

Ribnitz-Damgarten was established in 1950 by merging the former towns of Ribnitz and Damgarten, both situated on opposite sides of the Recknitz river. In ancient times the Recknitz formed the border between Mecklenburg and Pomerania. At the ford a castle was built about 1200, being the precursor of Ribnitz. The princes of Rügen responded by erecting an own fortress at the opposite side, later becoming the town of Damgarten.

Sights in Ribnitz-Damgarten:

• Marienkirche ("Saint Mary Church", 1233)
• Rostocker Tor ("Rostock Town Gate", 1290)
• Amber Museum