View of the "Berlin Gate" providing access to the walled city of Templin, taken on September 10, 2021. - The picturesque town of Templin, population 16,000, is celebrating its 750th birthday this year, one year late due to the coronavirus pandemic. Set in the verdant Uckermark, dotted with glistening lakes hidden in lush pine forests, it's where German chancellor Angela Merkel grew up and has served as a sanctuary that helped sustain her in 16 crisis-racked years in power. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)