Cycle map Oderbruch Barnimerland

The Oderbruch was formerly swamp land that was flooded annually by the Oder River. The lowland, with numerous floodplains, dikes, and channels, is about 60 kilometers long and between 10 and 15 kilometers wide. It has a total area of 640 square kilometers and lies partly significantly below the level of the Oder. Settlements existed as early as the 4th century, but only on the island-like elevations. The first documented mentions of the settlements in the Oderbruch date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, where places such as Wriezen, Freienwalde, Letschin, Alttrebbin, and Altlewin were already named. In addition to fishing, grazing and livestock farming were the main sources of income for the residents. The systematic drainage of the Oderbruch for land expansion was initiated in the mid-18th century on the initiative of King Frederick II of Prussia. The riverbed of the Oder and its branching tributaries were moved to the eastern border of the Oderbruch. Extensive dike systems were built to protect against flooding.

To the west of the Oderbruch lies the hilly Oberbarnim with its extensive forest areas. It was formed during the last ice age, about 15,000 years ago. Up to 90-meter-high terminal moraine ridges were left behind. Meltwater collected in the depressions of the ground moraines.

Bad Freienwalde, the oldest spa and bathing resort in the Mark Brandenburg, is located in the border area between the Oberbarnim forest hills and the Oderbruch. Due to its location in the hilly surroundings, the city was referred to as the "Mountain Town" by the poet Theodor Fontane. The culturally interesting border town of Frankfurt (Oder) was established by German merchants at a favorable crossing of the Oder River in the early 13th century. In 1945, Frankfurt was occupied by the Red Army, and as a result, the suburb of Damm fell to Poland. In 1951, reconstruction of the city center, which had been almost completely burned down in 1945, began.