Hidden amongst the rolling hills near Greifswald lies Wackerow a village steeped in history. Its story begins long before its first written mention in 1208. Evidence suggests that people lived here during the Stone Age. The Ryck River provided easy access to the Baltic Sea. This made Wackerow a strategic location.
Wackerow’s location was not accidental. It sits on the site of the ancient village of Redos or Redeswitz. Prince Jaromar I of Rügen gifted this land to the Eldena Monastery in 1207. The monastery then attracted Danish German and Slavic settlers. By 1208 Redos had become Wakare the earliest known name for Wackerow.
The village prospered under the monastery’s rule. But its peaceful existence was repeatedly shattered by conflict and disease. The Thirty Years’ War devastated Wackerow. Swedish forces ravaged it. Later Wallenstein’s troops destroyed it in 1628. Plague epidemics repeatedly struck killing many.
Yet Wackerow survived these calamities. Greifswald the nearby Hanseatic city took ownership of Wackerow in 1341. Greifswald invested in the rebuilding of Wackerow. Dutch and Cossack families settled there in 1681. They helped the village recover and flourish again.
Wackerow’s fortunes changed again with the arrival of the railway in 1863. The railway line from Angermünde to Stralsund passed through the village. The construction of the Greifswald bypass in the 20th century revealed a late Slavic settlement near the Ryck. This underscored Wackerow’s long history. The area around the Venusberg a local tumulus showed signs of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle.
In the 20th century Wackerow experienced a period of growth. Greifswald’s shortage of building plots led to a population boom in Wackerow. Many sought homes in Wackerow a phenomenon known as suburban sprawl. Wackerow even attracted attention as a tax haven. This was because of its low local tax rates. The tax rates have since been brought into line with national averages.
Today Wackerow is a vibrant community. It retains its connection to its past. The village is proud of its history. The Venusberg the remnants of the old manor house and the chapel in Jarmshagen stand as testaments to Wackerow’s enduring spirit. Wackerow’s story is a testament to the resilience of a community. It demonstrates the human ability to rebuild and thrive even after immense adversity. It is a community that has survived and flourished for centuries. This village of Wackerow should not be underestimated.