Travel Guide "Remembrance Connects Region Oder-Warta"

98 99 A me e t i ng and d i scovery space A me e t i ng and d i scovery space The Oder-Warthe region is rich in historic castles, manor houses and estates. These properties still bear witness today to the exciting and varied history of past centuries. This is also the true of the castle com- plex in the Müncheberg district of Trebnitz Castle Meeting Centre The Begegnungszentrum Schloss Trebnitz (Trebnitz Castle Meeting Centre) is located in a historic complex of buildings and is also a lively gathering place. Trebnitz. This estate, built in the 16 th century, fell into the possession of the von Brünneck family in 1827 , who maintained it for several generations and had it further expanded. In 1945 , the family‘s property was expropriated and they were expelled. In the last days of the war, the German Armed Forces and then the Red Army took up quarters here. It was a Russian commandant‘s office, a refugee camp, and the first place of lodging for many homeless and displaced persons. From the 1950 s, the estate became the town‘s social centre. The castle housed a school and childcare centre, served the community as a building for residences and offices, and was used as a holiday camp. After German reunification, the castle was renovated and converted into an open house for international youth meetings. Since then, children, young people and adults from both sides of the Oder River have come here to promote exchange between Germany and Poland. Address: Platz der Jugend 6 15374 Müncheberg, Deutschland www.schloss-trebnitz.de Open: January-December GPS : 52 ° 31 ‘ 54 . 5 “N 14 ° 13 ‘ 10 . 4 “E Trebnitz Castle Meeting Centre i This bridge over the Oder River in Frankfurt (Oder) is representative of the eventful history of the Oder-Warthe region like no other Oder River bridge. After the first bridge was created in the rapidly growing city as early as the 13 th century, constant reconstruc- tion followed with the repeated wars and acts of arson. This is also what happened in 1952 , when the bridge that was destroyed during the Second World War was reconnected between the two historic districts of Frankfurt as the „Bridge of Friendship“ between Poland and the GDR . With the agreement on passport- and visa-free cross-border traffic bet- ween the two countries, relatively free travel became possible for a few years, Frankfurt (Oder) City Bridge The Frankfurt (Oder) City Bridge serves both as a place of remembrance and as a bridge. As the only bridge in the city, not everyone was able to use it during the GDR era. starting in 1972 . Renewed restrictions were put in place in 1980 . The GDR leadership feared a collapse of the socialist leadership due to the streng- thening of the Solidarność movement in Poland, which led to them unila- terally cancelling this agreement. This situation was only to change subsequent to German reunification and with the introduction of visa-free border traffic in April 1991 . In 2002 , the bridge was completely renovated and since then has not only symbolically but also literally re- connected the two regions and with it the people on both sides of the Oder River. Fortunately, more and more bridges are being built (or expanded) between the two nations. Address: Slubicer Straße 15230 Frankfurt (Oder), Deutschland www.frankfurt-oder.de Open: January-December GPS : 52 ° 20 ‘ 53 . 6 “N 14 ° 33 ‘ 22 . 2 “E Frankfurt (Oder) City Bridge i