Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania isn’t only known for its Baltic coast and lake landscape. Salt production and graduation towers are also part of the region’s history. In Bad Sülze and Trinwillershagen in particular, you can still trace this tradition today: once historically around the salt museum, and once reinterpreted in a modern salt manufactory.
Bad Sülze: salt history in the Recknitz valley
Bad Sülze looks back on a long history of salt production. The Salzmuseum Mecklenburg documents the development of the saltworks from the Middle Ages to the end of commercial salt production at the beginning of the 20th century.
According to the museum, the historic saltworks had six graduation towers in total, with a combined length of more than 1.3 kilometres. The brine was channelled over wooden structures filled with brushwood. As it ran down, water evaporated and the salt content of the brine could be increased before boiling.
In 2019, a new, working model of a graduation tower was built in the museum garden. It stands in the museum’s outdoor area together with a brine well and a replica of the former drinking pavilion. The museum garden covers around three hectares and borders the so-called Timm’scher Garten with its dahlia collection.
Since 1971, the museum itself has been housed in the former administrative building of the Grand Ducal Saltworks, the “Alte Salzamt” from 1759. If you’re planning a visit, check the current opening times directly on the salt museum’s website.
Trinwillershagen: graduation tower in the salt tower
Trinwillershagen is home to the Salzmanufaktur Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Its salt tower is designed as a modern visitor attraction centred on natural salt.
According to the manufactory, around 32 tonnes of natural salt have been built into the building. Inside, there’s a graduation tower around seven metres high. On guided tours, visitors can get to know the tower and how different natural salts are processed.
The salt manufactory also has a farm shop and offers events and guided tours. As dates and opening times can vary, it’s worth checking the provider’s latest information before you travel.
What do the two places have in common?
Bad Sülze and Trinwillershagen show two different sides of the same salt tradition. In Bad Sülze, the focus is on the historical development of salt production. Trinwillershagen combines the graduation tower principle with modern architecture and a working manufactory.
What both sites share is the basic technical principle: brine is channelled over a large structured surface. Some of the water evaporates as the brine continues to run over the structure.
Why were graduation towers important in the past?
Graduation towers were originally used mainly for salt production. As the brine repeatedly trickled down over brushwood, water evaporated, raising the salt concentration before the brine was boiled. This saved fuel when it was heated later.
Today, surviving or newly built graduation towers are often part of museums, spa parks, thermal baths or tourist attractions. They make historic technology tangible and shape the image of former salt sites in many places.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in salt history and graduation tower technology, you’ll find two very different places to visit in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Bad Sülze tells the story of how regional salt production developed, while Trinwillershagen takes up the principle in a modern salt manufactory.
Before making a long journey to either place, it’s worth checking the official website, as opening times, guided tours and events can change with the seasons.
Frequently asked questions
Where are there graduation towers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
This article presents Bad Sülze and Trinwillershagen. In Bad Sülze, there’s a working model of a graduation tower in the museum garden; in Trinwillershagen, there’s an indoor graduation tower in the salt manufactory’s salt tower.
How old is the salt tradition in Bad Sülze?
The salt museum documents salt production in the region back to the Middle Ages. Commercial salt production ended at the beginning of the 20th century.
What does a graduation tower do?
Brine is channelled over brushwood or another large surface. As it does so, water evaporates, which allows the brine to become more concentrated.
Are opening times and guided tours the same all year round?
No. What’s on offer can change with the seasons. Please check the latest information from the salt museum or the salt manufactory before your visit.
Visitor information as of September 2026. This article is for general information purposes only.
Image source: Adobe Stock
