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, extensive 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 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 approximately 18 hectares and is bounded by the Krakower Binnensee, the buildings along Möwenweg, and the edge of the stadium embankment. The location of the Kurwald is marked by a black line with hatching on one side, with the hatching pointing into the area. The boundary of the Kurwald is documented in the archives and can be viewed by anyone free of charge.
