Memories of the Schmidt Bakery: Templin's lost world of pleasure

Memories of the Schmidt Bakery: Templin's lost world of pleasure

In Templin, in a place that holds many stories, the past comes to light in the form of memories. Today, July 10, 2025, reports Uckermark courier from the former Schmidt bakery on Obere Mühlenstrasse. In a series called “Historical Peep Box” there is a photo of the building that is of personal importance to many Templiners. Several callers have reached out with their memories and painted vivid pictures from the past.

Thea and Berthold Rathgen reported that the house once belonged to their in-laws, Margot and Hellmut Rathgen. Hellmut took over the bakery from his father, Wilhelm Dackert, who originally ran the business opposite the family. This connection shows how strongly the craft has taken root in the families. The bakery was later handed over to Dieter Schmidt, but he was unable to find a successor, which is why the building was sold in 2015.

Memories and stories

The stories shared by former employees and customers have grown over the years. Berthold Rathgen remembered that his grandfather's bakery was in the backyard and the family lived above it. The upper floors were not always an easy task as they were affected by a bombing raid on March 6, 1944 that resulted in 60 percent destruction of the city, claiming over 200 lives. This historical context is inextricably linked to the memories of the bakery trade.

The devastation caused by this airstrike cannot be underestimated. On March 6, 2024, exactly 80 years later, a commemoration of this tragic day took place in Templin. Mayor Detlef Tabbert described this day as the saddest day for the city in the last century, reflecting the collective grief of the residents. The RBB24 reports that contemporary witnesses and students took part in the memorial event at the forest cemetery, where many of the victims are buried.

A painful part of history

The discussion about the air war during the Second World War has become more important in recent years. As the Federal Agency for Civic Education describes, the air war is a sensitive topic for many Germans, which is often discussed under the motto “German taboo”. While in the British culture of remembrance the air raids are part of national identity, in Germany people often focus too much on the losses suffered, while the context of National Socialism remains in the background.

A frightening incident affecting Templin's Jewish history also shows how vulnerable the culture of remembrance can be: the attempt to remove a memorial plaque to Jewish history shocked the city. But even though this board was attacked, it is now firmly anchored again. This reminds us how important it is to preserve the memories and give them a place in our present.

The reports and memories of the Schmidt Bakery and the destruction caused by the war not only provide a look at the past, but also at the challenges that the city of Templin is facing today. It is important not only to collect the nostalgic stories, but also to learn the lessons from history to understand how we want to treat each other in the present.