The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Dahmen

The workers' houses of the former Dahmen sugar factory are a striking testament to the short but intense industrialization phase in rural Mecklenburg during the 19th century. The factory began operations in 1875 and ran until its closure in 1905 – just under 30 years. The primary reason for its early demise was the collapse of beet sugar prices due to the rapidly growing competition from numerous other factories in Germany. The factory complex included not only the production facilities themselves (which, with the exception of one storage building, have been largely demolished), but also a small factory village with infrastructure for the workforce: Housing for the factory workers (the so-called workers' houses) A tavern A general store A bakery These workers' houses were built at the same time as the factory. They served to attract and retain workers – often seasonal laborers (e.g., harvesters for the beet harvest) – as Dahmen was a very rural and remote location.

The building that housed the youth hostel originally belonged to the Dahmen sugar factory. This factory was founded between 1873 and 1875 by landowner Vollrath Levin von Maltzahn, his cousin Rudolph von Maltzahn, and Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Gustav von Tiele-Winckler. The factory operated from 1875 to 1905 – only about three decades. After the factory closed, the buildings (including the workers' housing) were preserved and continue to shape the character of Dahmen today.

The granary (sugar granary or silo/storage building) is one of the most striking surviving relics and is now a listed building. The building is typical of smaller beet sugar factories of the late 19th century: a solid brick structure, often with several floors and large filling/discharging openings.

The grave of Wilhelm von Maltzan (Baron of Wartenberg and Penzlin) is located in the Moltzow cemetery. In 1863, he donated the bronze bell to the church (cast by C. Illies in Waren). His grave is also located there. This is one of the few specifically documented individual family graves directly in Moltzow. The von Maltzan family owned Moltzow for centuries (at least since the 14th century, and demonstrably from around 1372 in connection with other estates such as Ulrichshusen, Grubenhagen, etc.). Moltzow belonged to the estates of various branches of this widely distributed family (the Moltzow estate is discussed separately in the family history).

In the cemetery stands a small, freestanding bell tower with a historic bronze bell. This bell was donated in 1863 by Wilhelm von Maltzan, Baron of Wartenberg and Penzlin – a typical example of the patronage of the local nobility in the 19th century.

A fieldstone building with brick detailing, a magnificently designed blind gable, and a tower with two Renaissance bells dating from 1598. The Renaissance altar (circa 1600): Unique in Central Europe with its original paintwork, six meters wide, and featuring carved reliefs (e.g., the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection). It is considered one of the most beautiful Renaissance altars in village churches throughout Germany.

I can only recommend the Gasthaus Alter Schafstall. Great service, delicious food, and you can even charge your e-bike for free. You just need to bring your charging cable with you.

The path no longer exists unless you make your own way through a cornfield...