The history of the town of Dömitz can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. In the course of the colonisation of the east by the Germans in the 12th century, the region was captured by the Earl of Dannenberg. Dömitz was granted town status in 1259 and was ceded to Mecklenburg in 1423.
Due to increasing inland navigation on the Elbe River and water transportation on the Elde Canal, the town of Dömitz gained in importance in modern times owing to its harbour and customs facilities. Between 1871 and 1873 a railway bridge was constructed over the Elbe River. With a length of 1,000 metres it was the longest railway bridge in Germany at that time. Shortly before the end of World War II the bridge was destroyed by American fighter bombers.
After 1949 the Elbe River constituted the border line between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. Only after the fall of the Wall at the beginning of the nineties was a new road bridge built over the Elbe River. Impressive remnants of the old railway bridge are still visible today.
Tourist-Information
Rathausplatz 1
19303 Dömitz
phone: 038758-22112
fax: 038758-35815
e-mail:tourismus@doemitz.de
Internet: www.doemitz.de