Slawenburg - the Slavic castle - formerly situated between two lakes at a passage across the Elde, was hotly contested during the 12th century because of its strategically important location. Malchow was established on an island in the vicinity of the castle and was granted a town charter in 1235.
In the southeast and at the western tip the town was temporarily connected to the mainland by bridges; ferries took over part of the carriage. In 1846 an earth-fill dam was built, which replaced the Long Bridge to the eastern shore. The old swing bridge, constructed in 1863/64 was reactivated in 1990 after its reconstruction. Thus shipping between Müritz and Plau Lake became possible once again.
Trade and the milling business shaped the economy of Malchow for a long time. From the 17th century on, cloth making gained importance. The Elde-Havel Canal was built in 1836. The construction of railways to Karow and Waren caused further economic upswing.
A chronicle also refers to a sombre chapter in the town's history: In 1943/44 an outpost of the Ravensbrück concentration camp with approximately 4,000 prisoners and a prisoner-of-war camp had been set up close to the explosive factory near Malchow.
Tourist-Information
An der Drehbrücke
17213 Malchow
phone: 039932-83186
fax: 039932-83125
e-mail: info@tourismus-malchow.de
internet: www.stadt-malchow.de