Bad Zwischenahn

Infobox German Location
Art = Gemeinde
Name = Bad Zwischenahn
Wappen = Bad_Zwischenahn_Wappen.jpg
lat_deg = 53 |lat_min = 11 |lat_sec = 01
lon_deg = 08 |lon_min = 00 |lon_sec = 35
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Lower Saxony
Landkreis = Ammerland
Höhe = 7
Fläche = 130
Einwohner = 27173
Stand = 2006-12-31
PLZ = 26160
PLZ-alt = 2903
Vorwahl = 04403
Kfz = WST
Gemeindeschlüssel = 03 4 51 002
Gliederung = 19 districts
Straße = Am Brink 9
Website = [http://www.bad-zwischenahn.de/ www.bad-zwischenahn.de]
Bürgermeister = Dr. Arno Schilling
Partei = SPD

Bad Zwischenahn is a village and a municipality in the Ammerland district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the lake Zwischenahner Meer, approx. 15 km northwest of Oldenburg.

History

During World War II it was the home base of the largest Luftwaffe airbase in northern Germany, with Jagdgeschwader 400 operating the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket fighter from the base, which was heavily bombed during the war, and the land it was situated on was converted to a golf course following World War II.

Economy

The main economic activities of Bad Zwischenahn were and are based on tree nurseries, food industry (sausage and ham production) and resort community services for the well to do urban population of Oldenburg and Bremen. The lake is used for boating, bathing and recreation, with some eel fishing still undertaken. One of the premier sites for tourists is the very old windmill, reputedly built in the 12th century. Next to it a historical farm ensemble enjoys big popularity among tourists visiting Bad Zwischenahn. Its ancient oak beams support a fine restaurant called the Spieker, built into its architecture. Local smoked eels are a delicacy served with an exceptional locally produced schnapps called Ammerlaender. The local tradition is to drink it by pouring it into a tin spoon specially carried on a necklace. The typical Loeffeltrunk, or cheer before before drinking out of the spoons is as follows: "Ich Seh di", "Dat freit mi", "Ich sup di to", "Dat do". After drinking out of the spoon, "Ick hev di tosapen", "Hest'n Recht'n drapen!", "So heb wid immer don", "So schau dat wider gon". The local parks continue with the historic tradition in the Ammerland of placing into waterfilled ditches some trees on the birth of a baby daughter. The trees are allowed to cure under water, and are then hauled out and used to make the furniture for the young woman when she marries.