About 250 years ago the swampy flood fields of the river Oder between Frankfurt upon Oder and Bad Freienwalde were drained. Thus, men created what has been termed "Berlin's Vegetable Garden". It is a unique cultural landscape which may remind you of coastal marsh areas.

Numerous guided tours--on foot, by bike, bus or horse buggy—trace the history and development of the Oder marsh region. In museums you can have a look at tools typical for this region's trades: fishing, growing tobacco and cutting reed. There is also a 'Stork Museum'. A visit to the Brecht-Weigel-Haus in Buckow is also worth a trip. This house was used as summer residence by poet and playwright Bert Brecht and his wife, the actress and manager Helene Weigel.

In summer there are internationally acclaimed concerts in the park surrounding Buckow palace. The "Felsenbühne" offers a special stage for out-door summer theatre performances.

In the spa town of Bad Freienwalde on the edge of the Oder Marsh region visit the well-kept historical town centre as well as a beautiful palace park designed by Lenné. Do not forget to stop-by Early-Gothic Nikolai Church, the more than 100-year-old Bismarck Tower on "Schlossberg" as well as the bricklayers' museum in Rüdersdorf.