Swans are frequently seen in Bad Doberan – often as statues – due to the founding myth of the monastery.
The original Cistercian monastery was founded nearby at Althof in 1171. It was damaged in a war and the duke decreed that the new monastery will be built where he kills his first stag. Although the kill happened on swampy land, a swan came out and quacked “dobr, dobr” — Slavic for good. The new monastery was duly built here and called Doberan (Good Place).
