Carbäk

“What a strange name for a river,” you might think. The Carbäk. It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? But this little river, tucked away in the heart of Rostock, holds a story. The Carbäk might not be the Rhine or the Danube, but it has quietly witnessed centuries of Rostock’s history. It begins its journey just east of Steinfeld, meandering westward towards Rostock. Imagine its banks centuries ago, perhaps lined with humble villages, the air filled with the calls of fishermen. The Carbäk flows through Bentwisch, then slips under the A19 highway. Finally, it merges with the Unterwarnow here in Rostock. It’s a journey of only 18 kilometers, but the Carbäk’s significance to Rostock is far greater than its size suggests. This little waterway lends its name to the Amt Carbäk, an administrative region in the Rostock district. And here’s a little-known fact for you: Did you know that the Carbäk was once straightened and confined within concrete banks? In the 1960s, efficiency often overshadowed ecological concerns. Thankfully, times have changed. At the turn of the millennium, a section of the Carbäk in eastern Rostock underwent a remarkable transformation. The concrete was stripped away, the river allowed to meander once more, and its banks restored to their natural state. It’s a testament to Rostock’s growing commitment to environmental preservation and a reminder that even a small river like the Carbäk deserves our respect and protection.