Est.: first mentioned about 1200
Pop.: 1281
The 17 kilometer long and between 3 kilometer and 150 meter broad land strip of the island Hiddensee is situated in front of the west coast of its "big sister" Ruegen. This scarcely 19square kilometers large island can be achieved only with the ferry from Stralsund or Schaprode on Ruegen. The small island is known for its beautiful beaches at the west and the north coast and their nature-protected landscape with singular Flora and Fauna. Although the island, which belongs to the national park "Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft" since 1990, cannot conplain about too few visitors during the summer months, it is still considered as a small paradise to such, which appreciate rural atmosphere and an intact nature. Peace on the island brings among other things the autoprohibition - who does not want to walk, must ride ones bike or a use a horse cart as a taxi.
History:
The name "Hidensey" has first been mentioned in historical documents about 1200. But excavations prove that the island was already settled during the Bronze Age and before. After the migration of the peoples it was the Slavic tribe that settled here first. They were the inhabitants of Hiddensee until the island became Danish property in the beginning Middle Ages.
Farming and fishing was what people did for a living until tourism took over Hiddensee's economy by the end of the 19th Century. First it were only cultural, scientific and economically celebrities, like Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud and Gerhart Hauptmann, who came here for relaxation. Despite the rising numbers of visitors Hiddensee remained a quiet, idyllic place, which was even during the time of the GDR spared from the extension to a seaside resort for the masses.
Leave a Comment