Heiligendamm was founded in 1793 by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I and was the first German seaside resort. The climatic benefits of its location on the "holy dam" ("Heiliger Damm") and the healing properties of the salt water meant this seaside town became an exclusive spa resort where higher nobility and prominent visitors came to spend the summer. Today the seaside resort is part of the town of Bad Doberan where visitors can find many places of interest and enjoy different cultural events.Bad Doberan Minster
The minster, which was constructed in 1386 as an abbey church, is known as the "Pearl of North German Brick Gothic architecture". The magnificent Cistercian architecture attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Visitors can really get to know the minster by attending one of the celebratory church services, devotions, concerts or guided tours."Molli" narrow-gauge railway
When the seaside resort of Heiligendamm was founded amidst an area of unspoilt natural beauty, it understandably attracted bathers in droves. However, at that time there was no easy way of getting there. And so in 1886 a railway line was built between Bad Doberan and Heiligendamm, and was later extended to Kühlungsborn. Today the "Molli" railway still takes passengers on the 15.4 kilometre journey between the towns, puffing along and ringing its bell through narrow streets and past fields and meadows.