Stargazing Spot - Kurwald, Krakow am See
Krakow am See is one of the municipalities in the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide Nature and Star Park—the first certified star park in northern Germany.
Its international recognition as an “International Dark Sky Park” was officially confirmed in late 2025/early 2026. The Star Park encompasses 16 municipalities in the Mecklenburg Lake District and is characterized by very low light pollution, vast forest and lake landscapes, and a population density of only about 9 inhabitants per km². As a result, exceptionally clear starry skies are visible there—including the Milky Way, which can be seen with the naked eye under good conditions. In and around Krakow am See, there are several official stargazing spots equipped with lounge chairs, information boards, and themed stations. The certification was granted following years of measures to combat light pollution. These included, among other things, the conversion of approximately 600 streetlights to shielded, night-friendly lighting systems. The Krakow am See Health Forest is located northeast of the town of Krakow am See, on the Jörnberg, Emkwerder, and Lehmwerder peninsulas. It covers an area of about 18 hectares and is bordered by Lake Krakow, the buildings along Möwenweg, and the edge of the stadium’s embankment. The location of the Kurwald is marked by a black line with dashed strokes on one side, with the dashes pointing into the area. The boundary of the Kurwald is archived and may be viewed by anyone free of charge.
Stargazing Spot in the Kurwald Forest in Krakow am See – A Pure Starry Sky on the Baltic Sea
The stargazing site in the Krakow am See spa forest is located in the heart of one of the darkest regions in northern Germany—far away from the bright lights of major Baltic Sea cities such as Rostock, Stralsund, and Wismar. Krakow am See is part of the Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide Nature and Star Park, the first certified star park in northern Germany. In late 2025/early 2026, its international designation as an “International Dark Sky Park” was officially confirmed.
The Milky Way visible to the naked eye—light pollution at a record low
With only about 9 residents per square kilometer, vast forests, and the typical lake landscape of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the region around Krakow am See offers ideal conditions for stargazing. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible without any aids. This was made possible, among other things, by converting approximately 600 streetlights to shielded, night-friendly lighting systems—a result of years of consistent measures against light pollution.
Kurwald on the Peninsula – A Natural Area Directly on Lake Krakow
The Kurwald forest in Krakow am See stretches northeast of the town across the Jörnberg, Emkwerder, and Lehmwerder peninsulas, covering approximately 18 hectares. Bordered by Lake Krakow, the buildings along Möwenweg, and the embankment of the stadium, it forms a quiet, natural retreat. Several designated observation areas with lounge chairs, information boards, and themed stations invite visitors to explore the starry sky in peace—nestled within the tranquil forest landscape of the Mecklenburg Lake District.