RTW Leg 133

Berlin - Oslo
EDDI - ENGM 473 nm, 3:00 hours
Departure: at dawn

Berlin - Oslo

NARRATIVE

MECKLENBURG-WESTERN POMERANIA
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is located in northeast Germany. Approximately 1.8 million residents live in its 23,170 square km area, making it the most thinly populated state in Germany (79 inhabitants per square km).  Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has a maritime flair. Its 1,712 km coastline, with 354 km of outer coast, is the longest of any German state. However, Mecklenburg is also a land of lakes. The largest lake in the state and all of Germany is the Muritz with an area of 110 square km.  With the natural beauty of its varied coastline, its multitude of lakes, and its beautiful forests and fields, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Germany.

Mecklenburg derives its name from the Slavic castle "Mechelenburg". The castle stands between the two cities Schwerin and Wismar and was first documented by the emperor Otto III. in 995.  Germanic tribes established settlements in this region up to the year 500. Around the year 600, the Germanic tribes had left the region and Slavic tribes such as the Obotrite and the Lutician founded new settlements. When Heinrich der Loewe (Henry the Lion) defeated the Obotrites, he began the Christianisation of Mecklenburg.
In 1348 the emperor Karl IV. conferred the title Duke on every Count. The territory was then divided in 1621 into two different duchies, Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Guestrow. The Westfalian peace contract from 1648 regulated that Wismar came under the power of Sweden. The Guestrow lineage died out in 1695. Two new duchies were founded as a result of the treaty of Hamburg in 1701, Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz.  In 1803 Wismar was returned to Mecklenburg. Both of the duchies joined the Rhine Federation in 1808. At the congress in Vienna the two duchies of Mecklenburg received the title grand duchy.

The Civil Revolution ended in 1849 and the first state constitution was introduced. But it was revoked in 1850 and the old ordinance was re-established. Mecklenburg became part of the German Empire in 1871. The November Revolution finally repealed the medieval ordinance. In 1933 independent Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz were united to the province of Mecklenburg. Schwerin was pronounced capital of the province. After WW II in 1945 Mecklenburg was part of the Soviet occupied zone. It was named Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, but since 1947 it was simply known under Mecklenburg. East Germany politically restructured the country in 1952 and Mecklenburg was divided into districts of Rostock, Schwerin, and Neubrandenburg. Since 1990, the province is officially called Mecklenburg-Vorpommern again. Schwerin is the capital.

The state established its existing form in the course of Germany's reunification on October 3, 1990. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was formed from the previous GDR districts of Rostock, Schwerin, and Neubrandenburg. Its formation was based on the state inauguration law (Ländereinführungsgesetz) of July 22nd, 1990.

At the Baltic coast

Still flying north we reach the Baltic coast. The Baltic coast of Mecklenburg extends from the east side of the Bay of Lübeck to Fischland to where Vorpommern begins.  The bizarre coast line varies from steep bluffs to wooded tracts and beaches with fine sand dunes.  A strange feature of the Baltic is the almost virtual absence of tides, making swimming safe at any time except when the surf is high.  The Hanseatic cities of Greifswald, Rostock, Wismar and Stralsund have a long history and tradition and all merit a visit.  Up to the turn of the century there were many spas along the Baltic coast and much of the original charm can now be seen again after a great deal of careful restoration.

Isle of Rügen

Close to the coast lies the Isle of Rügen - The largest German Island.
Shining white chalk cliffs, kilometres long fine sandy beaches, calm expanses of beech woods and the beauty of Cape Arkona are all part of Germany’s largest island.
The megaliths graves bear witness that Rügen had already been settled more than 1000 years ago and had attracted traders and seafarers. Germanic and Slavic earthworks belie a turbulent history until the Danish Bishop Absalon destroyed the pagan deity of the Ranen in 1168 and began the Christianisation of Rügen.

Sassnitz

"To visit Rügen means to visit Sassnitz ", the writer Fontane told his Effie Briest (Theodor Fontane: Effie Briest, 1895) . In fact, Sassnitz was the first seaside resort on Rügen.  The city has a 1,444 km. long harbour wall, the longest in Europe. It gives a certain air of permanency to the harbour, where passenger ships, sports boats and a small fishing fleet all dock.  The city borders on the Jasmund National Park and its picturesque chalk coastline, the Koenigsstuhl and the Wissower Klinken are well known all over Germany.

After Rügen we cross the Baltic Sea (in German: Ostsee) to Sweden (officially Kingdom of Sweden).
The first city there to meet is Malmö.

The first inhabitants of Malmö were fishermen and farmers. The name Malmö comes from the name Malmhauger, which roughly translated means "sand heaps". The actual City of Malmö came into being at the end of the 13th century. Malmö grew to become a vital commercial centre ruled alternately by Sweden, Denmark and the Hanseatic League.

In 1437, Erik of Pomerania granted the City of Malmö its own coat of arms, and this is still the official symbol of the city.  In the 16th century, Malmö was not only an important and prosperous city, but also part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The 1658 Roskilde peace treaty saw the end of Malmö's period as a part of Denmark, when Denmark ceded the county of Skåne to Sweden.

The modern development of the city dates from the late 18th century, when merchant Frans Suell took the initiative to construct a proper harbour in Malmö. Since then, the city has been growing steadily. In the course of the late 19th century, it became one of the most important industrial cities in northern Europe. The Kockums Shipyard was its main industry, together with a substantial textile and ready-to-wear market.

 

Malmöhus Castle

Today, Malmö is Sweden's third-largest city, with almost 260 000 inhabitants, and the commercial centre of southern Sweden. Older industries have been replaced by investments in new technology and training programmes of high calibre. Malmö University, which opened in 1998, is Sweden's latest venture in the field of higher education, accommodating some 15 000 students.

The historical city centre
The old city of Malmö is surrounded by a system of canals criss-crossed by bridges. The city centre offers a continental mix of old and new. Shops, restaurants, hotels and places of entertainment all have their part to play in the historic environment.

At Stortorget (the Main Square) you will find Malmö Town Hall, the 16th century home of the former Danish mayor Jörgen Kock, and the Kramer Hotel, which was built in the style of a French chateau. The equestrian statue, also in Stortorget, is of King Karl X Gustav, who made Malmö a part of Sweden.
The majestic church of St Peter (St Petri) dates back to the 14th century and the days of the Hanseatic League. Lilla Torg (the Little Square), with buildings dating back to the 1590s, boasts many beautifully restored houses as well as vibrant nightlife.

The Malmöhus Castle is the oldest remaining renaissance castle in Scandinavia and was originally built as a citadel in 1434 by Eric of Pomerania. Parts of it still survive to this day, although the main building dates back to the 16th century. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the heyday of this castle, when it served as a royal residence for the Danish kings. Among the many guests who came to stay at the castle was the adventurous Earl James Bothwell, third husband of the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart, who was imprisoned here for some years in the 1570s.

When the Swedes conquered Skåne in 1658, Malmöhus Castle lost its importance, and in the 18th and 19th centuries it was used as a prison. After restoration work in 1937, the castle became part of the Malmö Museum. At the same time, new buildings were constructed on the site to house the main museum collections. Today, the Museum of Art, the City Museum and the Museum of Natural History can all be found in the historical buildings.

Following the west coast of Sweden, the next town on our route is Laholm.

Laholm

Laholm illustrates the typical Swedish small town - but the range of sights and activities here is far from small. Laholm is also situated in a border area, and the memories from its time under Danish rule are many. The landscape also possesses exciting contrasts. The city lies in a prosperous agricultural area. Behind the town, the tree-covered ridge Hallandsås rises majestically. There are huge beech forests, deep ravines and babbling brooks. In summer, the vegetation is almost tropical. Potatoes are an important crop here, and the power stations on the Lagan River supply a major part of southern Sweden's energy.

Laholm is Halland's (Halland is one of the provinces in Sweden) oldest city - and also the smallest. It has roots in the 1200's and has managed to preserve its character from times gone by. In Gamleby (Old Town) you can wander in narrow, twisting streets between half-timber houses with flowering gardens. St. Clemens Church is Laholm's oldest structure; it is named after the patron saint of seafarers. On the square, you'll see the Town Hall and Bokhandeln, a book shop from the 1700's. Östertull is the old customs house built in the same period. Today this building contains an antiques shop.

Varberg: Hamnmagasinet

Continuing our flight along the coast, we reach Varberg. Varberg is one of Sweden's most popular coastal resorts. The nudist beaches are well known as are the many health treatments available at the health resort. Within walking distance of the city centre you'll also find Apelviken bay where surfers from all over Europe come to enjoy the waves in a beautiful Scandinavian setting.

Varberg is known for its coastline, but that doesn't mean that the shimmering lakes and pristine forests just a few kilometers inland aren't equally enchanting. And long before sunset, the buzz of Varberg's nightlife fills the air.

For centuries Varberg has been an important trading location, and the tradition lives on. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the market fair days year round. Vegetable farmers from the region rub shoulders with visitors from near and far. That's how it's been since the 1600's!  The Fortress, with sections dating from the 1200's, is an historical landmark. Each year the fortress museum has 100 000 visitors. Here you'll find the famous Bocksten Man and the bullet which was supposedly used to shoot Karl XII. Hamnmagasinet, the old warehouse in the harbour, was built in 1874 when the export of grain to England took off. Carefully restored, it's the perfect spot for a silver-smith, glassblowers, pottery and exhibition hall.

Coast near Goteborg

Our next destination is Göteborg (also spelled Gothenburg), Sweden's second city. It has a magnificent harbour and a brilliant showpiece boulevard. The most popular attraction in Sweden, Liseberg is one of the world's best amusement parks. The prime attraction is Spaceport Liseberg, which dominates the park at a height of 150m (492ft). After Liseberg the collected museums are the strongest attractions. The central museum Ostindiska Huset has archaeological, local and historical collections.  Konstmuseet has impressive collections of European masters and is notable for paintings by Rubens, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. The main museum of maritime history is Sjöfartshistoriska Museet. Gothenburg is easily accessible by air, bus, train and boat and, once you're there, a bunch of spanking new hostels in the city centre awaits your weary head.

There a some smaller islands located near the coast, which are nicely done in the default FS2002 scenery. They are certainly worth a visit, "low and slow", so make a stop at Göteborg's airport Landvetter, take your smallest aircraft and go for some sightseeing.

Now up to our today's final destination: Oslo.

Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals. The Os-lo name is derived from the Norse words for ”God” and ”field”. Oslo is a vast city (175 square miles) and also one of the world’s most prettily sited capitals, located at the end of the 110 km-long (70-miles) Oslofjord. Starting at the innermost shore of the Oslo Fjord, Oslo sprawls up the sides of the mountains that surrounds it.

Oslo: harbour

The Norwegian capital is inhabited by a relatively small population (480.000) by Continental European standards, but still cosmopolitan. To visit Oslo is a celebration of contrasts. In fact, there is so much to discover and fill the day and night time hours with that many visitors end up extending their stay.

Oslo has a rural landscape, fantastic views as well as a vibrant city life. During winter, inhabitants and visitors can ski along an impressive number of ski trails. During summer, energetic visitors can enjoy sea activities on the island beaches just offshore in the magnificent Oslo Fjord as well as walking, running or biking in the Vigeland Park or on 1860 miles of hiking paths.

Throughout the City are enclaves of shops. On your list of ‘must visit’ should include GlasMagasinet shopping mall. Also enjoy a Fishermen’s Wharf type of atmosphere at Aker Brygge.

In Europe, Norway was a comparatively late bloomer on the cultural scene. However, Norway and Oslo can present an impressive gallery of artists from the last 150 years; notably Gustav Vigeland (sculptor), Edvard Munch (painter), Henrik Ibsen (writer) and Edvard Grieg (music).

Throughout the ages, beginning with the Vikings, Norway has been producing great explorers. Indeed, many of their daring expeditions have served to change the course of history. These great journeys and expeditions of discovery have been taking place from the times of the Vikings right up to our present day. Leiv Eiriksson in the year 1000 wrote himself into the history books when he discovered America. And since that time this inborn wanderlust has taken Norwegian adventurers to the furthest corners of the globe. The journeys have often been motivated by a desire simply to fill in uncharted regions on the map, to discover new transport routes or to provide scientific evidence for a peoples place of origin. In museums in Oslo we can find well preserved sea-going vessels and equipment that were used on many of these journeys, from the days when the ship was the only mode of transport for long-distance travel.

The Vikings were strong-willed and fearless, they thirsted for new conquests - and they could be dangerous for those who were not their friends. Fortunately, however, that was nearly a thousand years ago.

Oslo: Viking Ship Museum

Today the Vikings are just a reminder from a turbulent period characterised by warlike aggression and an unlimited wanderlust. We can shudder now over this violent past, but we must also admire the Vikings for their great seamanship. They built fast and seaworthy ocean-going vessels and they were brilliant seafarers, far ahead of their time. The Vikings sailed their elegant long-ships south from Scandinavia towards the countries of the Mediterranean. They followed Russians mighty rivers from north to south arriving eventually at the magnificent city of Constantinople, today's Istanbul. Everywhere they turned up when least expected, and then they struck mercilessly. When the war-cries rang forth from these rampaging warriors there were few who dared to meet them with drawn sword.

However, the Vikings were not only fighters and seafarers. They were also peaceful farmers and traders. On their farms they brought in the harvest, very often under harsh weather conditions. The Vikings also distinguished themselves as fine craftsmen. However, because this side of their activities was less dramatic, it has been accorded less attention in the history books. In Oslo there are many ways of becoming better acquainted with the Vikings, their times, and, not least, with their ocean-going vessels.

A number of their magnificent long-ships can be admired at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo (Vikingskipshuset). The graceful lines of these ships convey a perfection and an elegance that one does not associate with merciless conquerors. Moreover, it is when one stands before these ships that one begins to understand the magnitude of the achievement of Leiv Eiriksson and his men when they sailed across the seas to discover America. The 24 metre long Gokstad ship (Gokstadskipet) is the largest of the preserved Norwegian Viking ships. It has a displacement of 30 tons and was probably used for overseas trade. The University Museum of Cultural Heritage (Historisk Museum) also paints a vivid picture of the times of the Vikings, which lasted from approximately 800 to 1050 A.D.

The elegant lines of the Viking ship give a good indication of the ship's speed and maneuverability, and how these features could be turned to advantage during sea-battles, plundering raids and trading expeditions to distant lands. Also other aspects of the vessel's construction were decisive. The keel of the Viking ship gave the ship a very shallow draught. The ship was thus not dependent on deep-water harbours but could simply be drawn up on the beach.

The Vikings were therefore able to strike quickly and unexpectedly. Under cover of darkness they were able to come ashore unnoticed, draw their boats up on the beach and then attack. Their ships gave the Vikings great range and striking power, and were the primary reason for the success of their plundering raids, trading expeditions to distant destinations and their ability to occupy parts of the European continent.

 

Please note that these RTW Narratives are produced using materials from various sites, in print and on the web.  They are intended for the private use of the RTW Buzz pilots only and are not meant for public dissemination.

Additional Scenery:
Norway Airports add-on for MICROSOFT FS2000 and FS2002 - Package 6
Authors: Arne Sundsbo, Svein Holbo, and Jan Roar Röd.
You can download it from Flightsim.no (look for the file: NORWAY_AP6_2002.ZIP 6.7 Mb), or from FlightSim.com (look for nor6a2k2.zip).

[We shall stop at 8 Norwegian airports, so installing this set might well be worthwhile.  MM]

Flightplan & Narrative:
Jozef Kusters (RTW Pilot #038)