Five good reasons for the island of ruegen dream camping destination on the baltic sea
The largest island in germany is a dream destination for campers at the baltic sea. This is not only due to the enchanting spa architecture and the picturesque chalk cliffs of the steep coast. The cultural and culinary offerings are also attractive. The ambers washed up from the depths of the sea even make rugen a treasure island.
1. The unmistakable spa architecture
it all began in mecklenburg heiligendamm near bad doberan, the oldest continental seaside resort europe, where the first evidence of seaside resort architecture can be found. Almost two decades later, from 1810, the unmistakable style then also arrived in pomerania, more precisely in the seaside resort of lauterbach near putbus. It should be established quickly. Since then, it has left its mark on many public buildings, hotels and villas on Rugen, especially in binz, sassnitz, sellin and gohren.
Strictly speaking, the seaside resort architecture is not an independent epoch, but rather a harmonious mixture of elements of classicism, historicism and art nouveau. Typically, two- to three- or four-story wooden buildings, often painted white, whose facades are decorated with filigree balconies and porches. The houses usually have in the middle and on the sides protruding facade parts, triangular gables and an interior of stone. They are by no means austere and bulky, but rather Mediterranean and pleasantly light.
Binz, the largest seaside resort of the island, benefits most conspicuously from playful architecture. its defining landmark is the spa house built of stone on the beach promenade in 1908 according to plans by berlin architect otto spalding. In addition, there are many beautiful ensembles here, and each house is a work of art in its own right. Besides the all-white villa sirene, the purple villa undine of 1885 stands out. the beautifully restored hotel is considered the oldest building in the Baltic resort and, on top of that, one of the first prefabricated houses in the world.
In sassnitz the stately hotel furstenhof forms part of a successful ensemble directly by the sea, and the villa elisabeth with its open wooden balconies is also an eye-catcher. In gohren finally, among other things, it is worth taking a look at the pretty villa mowe.
Although seaside resort architecture was also popular on the north sea and outside germany, it was most widespread between 1793 and 1918 in what is now germany mecklenburg-vorpommern. Even later and up to the present day, important building projects have been realized in the style of these models. One of the best examples is the 394-meter-long "pier", which was only completed in 1998 sea bridge of sellin, on which there is even room for a restaurant above the water.
2. The coveted "gold of the sea"
Amber has fascinated people for centuries. It has been known for just as long that on the island of ruegen outstanding amber findings have it done. Once, the islanders were forbidden to collect the valuable material even under draconian penalties. Today, however, anyone can become a treasure hunter without any problems.
The best chances for a find are after strong autumn storms, when the waves carry the "gold of the sea" rinsing the beach with seaweed. In addition, amber floating in the salt water in freezing cold weather. However, it takes some practice to distinguish the fossil resin from the worthless pebbles, because not all varieties are clear and transparent, but often cloudy and opaque. only after polishing and sanding does their full beauty reveal itself. Only then can you tell if there are any inclusions, which makes the find even more valuable. Among experts, the beach sections along the peninsula monchgut, between gohren, sellin, binz and mukran near sassnitz as well as near glowe are considered particularly rewarding. the hiddensee island is also a good fishing ground.
On the island of ruegen, goldsmiths and jewelry suppliers have specialized in island gold. They use them to make individual pieces, such as necklaces and bracelets, brooches and earrings. But even unprocessed such a souvenir has its charm.
3. The impressive chalk cliffs
Artists, above all the painter caspar david friedrich, made the majestic chalk cliffs world famous. In the far north, on the peninsula of wittow, where the two lighthouses stand at cape arkona, the vertical cliffs reach a height of over 40 meters. the most imposing rock formation of the island is the 118 meter high konigsstuhl, the highest elevation of the chalk coast. From the opposite victoria view opens the best view. Here, in the beech forest of the stubbenkammer, is also the visitor center of the national park jasmund. It can be reached by shuttle bus, via the coastal cycle path or on the ten-kilometer-long high shore path between lohme and sassnitz. other worthwhile stops are the kieler ufer and the ernst-moritz-arndt-sicht at tipper ort. However, hikers should not leave the elevated path and keep sufficient distance from the sometimes soft break-off edges. Who wants to go down to the beach, uses the descent at the kieler creek.
4. The typical specialties
Fish in all variations, how could it be otherwise on an island, dominates the offer of the snack stands in the harbors. Baked fish, smoked schillerlocken or herring rolls taste best here. Highlights for gourmets are also the herring weeks and hornfish days in putbus, sassnitz and schaprode, the monchguter herring festival in gohren or the crayfish festival in baabe. Roasted hake with roast potatoes and rhubarb compote is a delicacy on the island of ruegen.
the rugenhof arkona in putgarten, where countless specialties of the island are on offer, is a highly frequented excursion destination. sea buckthorn grows in one of the farm’s plantations. The tart and sour shrub fruits, which are also collected wild on the island, can be processed into juices, liqueurs and fruit spreads. There is also sea buckthorn honey, sweets, oils, teas and much more.
Sea buckthorn products are part of the assortment of the dairy rugener inselfrische in poseritz as well as curd cheese, cheese balls and fresh cheese. the rugener landhandel farm in the small village of rothenkirchen offers cold-pressed, native rapeseed oil from its own oil mill that has won several awards. In addition, the popular Rugener rapshonig is available in the farm’s own store.
5. The magnificent sandy beaches
the beach landscape on ruegen is more diverse than the typical photos suggest, showing sun-seeking crowds among hundreds of beach chairs on powder-fine sand. There are even large areas that are not suitable for swimming at all. Around 50 kilometers of coastline are lined with extensive stone beaches, which are scenically beautiful but not exactly predestined for splashing around. As a general rule, it is advisable to go into the sea only where lifeguards are present. In the large seaside resorts, the DLRG secures the most frequented sections from may to september.
besides the popular textile beaches, there are those especially for naturists, for example at binz, sellin, baabe, gohren and thiessow. On some beaches, naked and clothed sunbathers share the beach tolerantly. In addition, there are separate, designated areas on rugen for guests traveling with dogs.
The special tip
Stortebeker festival in ralswiek: last summer 2019 everything revolved around the buccaneer legend klaus stortebeker on one of the largest open-air stages in europe. Following the cancellation of the festival due to corona, the organizer firmly expects to stage the spectacle again in the summer of 2022 with 150 performers, 30 horses and four ships – with the evening fireworks display over the great jasmunder bodden.
everything important at a glance
Arrivalfrom the south via berlin on the freeway A 11 to the junction uckermark and on the A 20 to the exit 24, stralsund, there via the B 96 to stralsund and further via the rugen bridge to the island. From the direction of lubeck on the A 20 to exit 24 and via stralsund to rugen.
Worth seeing: the raving roland is germany’s oldest narrow-gauge railroad and has been in operation since 1895. It travels to the Baltic Sea resorts on the monchgut peninsula every two hours at a maximum speed of 30 km/h. The historical traditional train runs between putbus and binz, then reaches gohren via sellin and baabe. in summer, lauterbach/mole is also served. There are different tariffs, adults pay 25 euro for a day ticket, children 12,50 euro.