Marienwerder: Waterways, Local History and Excursions

Finow Canal and Werbellin Canal

Built in 1609, the Finow Canal runs through the municipality of Marienwerder. According to the municipality, it is Germany's oldest artificial waterway. It was once Prussia's most important and busiest waterway; today, it is used primarily for tourism. Its long history of use and its current role in water tourism give the canal two distinct aspects: it is both a historic transport route and part of today's experience of the waterways.

Another connection was added in 2018: since then, the Werbellin Canal has linked the historic Finow Canal with the Oder-Havel Canal. It allows pleasure boats to pass through and supports water tourism. So, alongside the Finow Canal's long history, those interested in waterways will find a connection that explicitly enables water tourism. Both canals offer a specific focus for a stay centred on the waterways.

Hiking and Cycling around Marienwerder

Hiking trails starting in Marienwerder connect Rosenbeck on the Werbellin Canal with Eichhorst and Lake Werbellin. From Marienwerder, you can cycle in all directions. Destinations within reach include the northern villages of Groß Schönebeck and Eichhorst, as well as Lake Werbellin. This gives you a choice of hiking trails and cycling routes to a range of destinations for active days out.

A longer route also takes in the canals: the second stage of the “Around the Schorfheide” tour runs from Biesenthal over sandy terrain towards Marienwerder on the Finow Canal. This offers a different perspective on the area than tours that start in Marienwerder. If you like to plan your trip around a specific route, this stage offers a distinct way to explore the area; for excursions starting in Marienwerder, you can choose from the hiking and cycling destinations described above.

Local History in Ruhlsdorf

The Ruhlsdorf Museum in Ruhlsdorf, a district of the municipality, presents local history in twelve furnished rooms. The museum vividly depicts life before and after the Second World War. The rooms explicitly focus on different periods, showing local history through the lived experiences of both. If you would like to include culture in your trip alongside excursions and waterways, a visit to this museum can be a focus in its own right.

The Schifferfest (Boatmen's Festival) is still celebrated in Marienwerder. A towpath also bears witness to horse-drawn towing in the 19th century. Together, the festival and the historic path point to different aspects of the area's relationship with water: today's festivities and the former practice of towing boats with horses. They complement the history of the canals with local tradition and a visible reminder of the 19th century.

Beach and Choosing a Holiday Focus

The beach at Bernsteinsee lies between Ruhlsdorf and Marienwerder. It has a beach and several beach volleyball courts. You can therefore also focus your stay on spending time by the water and playing beach volleyball. The activities described here differ considerably: canals and water tourism, hiking and cycling destinations, local history at the museum, and the beach and beach volleyball. When choosing a holiday apartment in Marienwerder, you can consider which of these interests you would like to shape your trip, without limiting your holiday to just one kind of excursion.

More local pages: Ahrensfelde, Panketal, Eberswalde, Lunow-Stolzenhagen, Althüttendorf, Britz, Chorin.

For the broader travel overview: Barnim.