Bad Zwischenahn


Bad Zwischenahn is a town and a municipality in the low-lying Ammerland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is on Zwischenahner Meer, approximately 15 km northwest of Oldenburg and about 70 km south of the North Sea coast.

History

During World War II Bad Zwischenahn was home to the largest Luftwaffe airbase in northern Germany, with first the Erprobungskommando 16 service-test unit, then Jagdgeschwader 400 each in their turn operating the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket fighter from the base. The airbase was heavily bombed. After the war, the airbase was converted to a golf course.

Economy

The main economic activities of Bad Zwischenahn were and are based on tree nurseries, the food industry, and resort community services for the well to do urban population of Oldenburg and Bremen. The lake is used for boating, bathing and recreation, with some eel fishing still undertaken.
One of the premier sites for tourists is a windmill originally built in 1811 in Westerstede. It is part of a historical museum farm consisting of 14 houses and auxiliary buildings that were moved to their today's location from 1909 to 2004. One of the buildings is called the Spieker and shelters a restaurant of the same name, integrating into the centuries-old architecture.
A major source of income is the tourism industry. In Bad Zwischenahn there is an above average number of apartments from private providers. These homes often have a higher standard and are awarded with 3 stars or more. Bad Zwischenahn is also a popular tourist destination for retirees, due to the numerous spa facilities.

Transport

The Bad Zwischenahn railway station is located along the Oldenburg-Leer railway line, and features InterCity and regional services.
There are regular ferry routes on the Zwischenahner Meer from Bad Zwischenahn to Dreibergen and Rostrup.

Local traditions

Locally smoked eels are a delicacy, particularly when served with a locally produced schnapps called Ammerländer Löffeltrunk. There is a specific local tradition to drink it from a tin spoon along with a special drinking cheer, each line alternately spoken by the host and the guests:
Original German translationEnglish translation
Ik she Di!Ich sehe Dich!I see you!
Dat freit mi!Das freut mich!That makes me glad!
Ik sup Di to!Ich trinke Dir zu!I drink to you!
Dat do!Tu das!Do that!
Prost!Prost!Cheers!
Ik heb Di tosopen!Ich habe Dir zugetrunken!I've drunk to you!
Hest den Rechten dropen!Du hast den Richtigen getroffen!You met the right one!
So hebt wi dat immer doh'n!So haben wir das immer getan!That's how we always did!
So schall dat ok wieter goh'n!So soll das auch weiter gehen!That's how it shall go on!

Beside drinking, the Ammerländer Löffeltrunk is also used to clean one's hands after eating the smoked eel.

Personalities

Sons and daughters of the community