Ever wonder how a place can carry centuries of stories within its borders? Welcome to Friedrichshagen. This part of Greifswald has a tale that stretches back over 770 years.
Friedrichshagen is located east of Greifswald. It sits just a kilometer south of the Dänische Wiek. You can reach it via the Wolgaster Landstraße. Today, it is one of Greifswald’s least populated areas.
In 1248, Friedrichshagen was first documented. Back then, it was known as Frederikeshagen. The village belonged to Eldena Abbey. Over time, the name changed several times. In 1634, it came under the ownership of the University of Greifswald. Finally, in 1960, it was integrated into Greifswald.
The name Friedrichshagen has an interesting origin. “Hagen” referred to cleared land. This land was usually obtained through deforestation. It indicates that Friedrichshagen was likely founded on such reclaimed land. “Frederike” often represented the first operator or owner of the farm.
The area around Friedrichshagen has seen settlement for a long time. West of the village, in the Eldena forest, two Slavic settlements have been found. These hint at earlier inhabitants in the region.
Papst Innocenz confirmed the abbey’s ownership in 1250. Later, in 1280, Bishop Hermann granted the tithe from Friedrichshagen to the monastery. Duke Bogislaw IV confirmed this ownership in 1281. In 1403, the Dukes Barnim VI and Wartislaw VIII pledged the Bede. Bede were services from Friedrichshagen to Greifswald’s Mayor Heinrich Rubenow.
After the monastery’s secularization in 1535, Friedrichshagen became part of the ducal office of Eldena. By 1634, it was transferred to the University of Greifswald. During the Thirty Years’ War, one farm of the seven farmers was destroyed. One “Kossät” was also destroyed. Kossäten were villagers who owned a “Katen”. A Katen is a small cottage. They had little livestock.
The university leased out the farms. Over time, they were merged. Maps from 1880 and 1920 show Farms I to III. Farm III was the core village. It was located on today’s L 26. Farms I and II were about 1.2 kilometers south of it.
During land reform, the remaining three farms were divided. In 1950, Friedrichshagen was incorporated into Kemnitz. Since 1960, it has been part of Greifswald.
In recent years, Friedrichshagen has faced challenges with internet connectivity. In 2012, a fiber optic cable was laid. But the signal was still transmitted via copper cables. This resulted in slow speeds for some residents. However, efforts have been made to improve this. There are plans to provide high-speed internet to all households.
Looking ahead, Friedrichshagen is part of an integrated urban development concept. This plan aims to improve infrastructure. It also wants to preserve the village’s character.
Friedrichshagen decided that only single-row development should take place. This ensures that the historical village character of the place is preserved. The gaps are to be closed. The number of inhabitants will almost double to around 300.
One idea is to build a community center. This could serve as a meeting point. It could also provide space for mobile services and events. Improvements to the cycling routes are planned. These will connect Friedrichshagen to Greifswald and other areas.
The people of Friedrichshagen actively shape the development of their village. They want to maintain its charm. They also strive to make life better for all. As you leave Friedrichshagen, remember its long history. Also remember its people’s commitment to preserving its unique identity.