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View on to the Ruegen Causeway - the connection to Germany's
largest island. The Ziegelgraben Bridge opens to let ships through
(encircled) |
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The Ruegen Causeway connects Stralsund to the Island of Ruegen
- famous for its tree-lined avenues, chalk cliffs, fields profuse
with yellow rape and red poppies, and long, fine sandy beaches.
The architecture in its seaside resorts is stylish and elegant.
The ferry terminal at Sassnitz is the gate to Scandinavia, Russia,
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. Ruegen is the largest island in Germany,
extending over an area of 974 km², with a coastline which exceeds
that of Schleswig-Holstein in length by more than 140 km. It is
10 times bigger than Sylt but has only 3 times as many inhabitants.
On average, the sun shines for 100 hours more per year than in Munich
- much to the delight of the local population and to the increasing
number of guests and visitors. The sea climate is particularly bracing
and many become addicted to the fresh sea air. From Altefaehr down
to the Moenchgut the island is a constant source of joie de vivre
- and that for 12 months each year. The countryside is fantastic,
with impressive chalk cliffs, the rugged Isle of Vilm in the Bay
of Greifswald, the dense beech woods and the legendary darkgreen
Herta Lake hidden in the deep Stubnizt Forest.
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Ruegen's most famous landmark,
which the artist Kaspar David Friedrich immortalised, lies in
the North of the island. When wandering along the top of the
steep chalk cliffs, you can gain a whole host of lasting impressions
and collect unusual and interesting souvenirs such as flintstones
and so-called "holy stones". A never-to-be-forgotten
experience is the view to and from the Koenigsstuhl (King's
Seat) while enjoying a trip on one of the many pleasure boats
which ply up and down the coast of the Jasmund Peninsula. Beachcombers
and water rats can find one of Ruegen's most beautiful and fine
sandy beaches in the far-reaching Schaabe Bay, which lies between
the Jasmund and Wittow Peninsulas.
Because the wind blows more frequently in the North of Ruegen
than anywhere else on the island, the designation "Windland"
is more than justified. In the distance, the two lighthouses
on Cape Arkona are visible. Along with the Direction-finding
Tower, the fishing village of Vitt, a museum and the remains
of the fortified wall of the Templer Castle of Arkona, these
are part of a national monument. On Ruegen the years follow
the same unconventionally beautiful pattern, beginning in spring
with the advent of the herring and the horned fish, continuing
through the summer with the arrival of the swallows and in the
autumn and winter the cranes and wild geese dominate the scene.The
"Wittow cabbage" thrives extremely well in the salty
air. |
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In the autumn of each year, during the traditional "Cabbage
Weeks", chefs from all over the island compete to create new
dishes to tempt the palate of visitors and local inhabitants alike.
Ruegen is the proverbial El Dorado for water sportsmen - with foam-crested
waves rolling in from the Baltic Sea or its calm inland waters.
The opportunities for water sports are many and diverse: take your
own boat or charter a yacht, stay at sea for a just a few hours
or for days - the choice is yours. An increasing number of marinas
and landing places offer sufficient mooring capacity for private
sports boats and yachts. There are surfing and diving schools at
the harbours, camping sites and seaside resorts. Do you need help
finding angling tackle? No problem! Every hotel owner or landlady
can recommend the nearest school , shop, day excursion, skipper
or instructor. It goes without saying that no trip to Ruegen would
be complete without a meal in one of the many excellent fish restaurants
- stylish and elegent on the patio of a luxury hotel, simple and
uncomplicated in a fisherman's cottage, in a romantic harbour pub
or "from the hand to the mouth" at one one of the Herring
Festivals - or maybe even cooked in the kitchen of your own holiday
flat? You must try the eels, herring or codling during your visit
to Ruegen.
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Sellin Pier - not only moorings for passenger boats but also restaurants,
dance hall and concert stage above the water
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The sophisticated seaside resort
Binz never seems to sleep. The new spa gardens in Goehren, the
cultural capital Putbus with its theatre, parks, orangery and
incomparable round tower, built in the Classical style, etc.,
etc. ... are all destinations with can be reached by train.
The "Racing Roland" travels through the Granitz and
Moenchgut regions and is a great attraction. Reduced fares for
families and groups, room for bikes, special trains, the chance
to do an "apprenticeship" and become an honorary train
driver and, above all, the rare opportunity of travelling on
a real steam train and recapturing the authentic flair of life
in the old days, make this journey a worthwhile experience.
The imposing pavillon on the pier in Sellin, which is 500 metres
long, was built in the traditional architectural style typical
for bathing resorts. The beach or pier can be reached by means
of 78 wooden steps or a lift. A model of the island can be viewed
in the Ruegen Park at Gingst. A total of 91 fully detailed miniatures
from all over the world, to a scale of 1:25 and made of synthetic
resin, are on display. If you like, you can make the trip around
Ruegen in 20 minutes at the most - by walking around the model
island. But who would want to do that?! |
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