Cape Arkona - The North of Germany, the lights and other Rügen, Germany Things to Do Tips

Cape Arkona is the most northern point of Germany. The 46 ms high cliff line is very impressive. From the far you see the two lighthouses and a bearing tower (navy). One of the lighthoses is built 1826/1827 by Schinkel, one of the most famous architects of Germany. It is the oldest lighthouse of Baltic Sea.
The other one was built 1902, 35 ms high. It is the actual working lighthouse.

Also on Cape you find the last Slavonian temple, 12th century, conquered by Danes, because the Christianisation began in Germany. Please, see that tip.

Not reachable by cars. Transportation to and from Cape Arkona I specify in my transportation tips.

From there you can also have a nice walk belong the beach, and another nice walk will bring you to a really beautiful and unique village named Vitt. Please, about that village have a look to that tip, too.

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Address: Cape Arkona, regon Wittow
Directions: From Putgarten to the Cape
Website: http://www.ruegen.de/index.php?id=1449

Cape Arkona is a point of interest also due to an ancient temple fortress dedicated to Svantevit (Jaromarsburg). The temple fortress of Arkona was the religious and political centre of the Slavic principality of Rügen in the early Middle Ages. The main temple of Svantevit was located in Arkona on Rügen.
The temple was dedicated to the deity Svantevit, who was depicted with four heads. The temple was housed an important horse oracle in Slavic times, where the behaviour of a white stallion decided about peace and war. Today only about a quarter of the old fortress are left, as the chalk-promontory it was built on is slowly eroded by the Baltic. Rescue excavations are in progress.

In 1168 Arkona was destroyed by Danish invaders (see Absalon). This event preceded the Christianisation.

They assume that the harbour of temple was in Vitt (see there), the settlement in Putgarten (means At Feet of Castle).

In July and August there will be a great historical event (Middle Age), with archaelogists and artists from Denmark, Poland and other countries.

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Address: Cape Arkona
Website: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaromarsburg

On the peninsula Wittow lies Vitt, the idyllic fishing village on Rügen. Architectural conservation village because it is founded in 10th century. It was a part of Jaromarsburg (temple Arkona).
Above the village on hill is a small octogonal church, built in 1816.

Many tourists come to Vitt, which you can only reach by walking from Cape or with a very little train from Putgarten (see that tip).

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Address: Wittow, Arkona
Website: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitt

The church of Altenkirchen is the second-oldest religious building of Rügen was built in 12th century.
In one aisle you see the Savantevit Stone from Jaromarsburg (my tip about Arkona), built in the church horizontally.
Remarkable the expositions of paintings about region or by regional painters in that church.
A great pleasure also the candles at benches.

Additionally recommandable are the cemetery stones outside that church, and some very old and fascinating trees.

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Address: Altenkirchen, area Wittow
Directions: main road
Website: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altenkirchen_(R%C3Cgen)

The palace was built in 14th century. In 1648 the Queen of Sweden declairated as Swedish property and given to Carl Gustav Wrangel, the famous Swedish general.
The Queen was there as guest herself in 1668.
Later is was in French ownership and later again Swedish.

In the park are many trees which are about 250 till 350 years old. Its an event to walk through that park.

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Address: between Sagard and Glowe, B96
Website: http://www.schloss-spyker.de/

A time of phantasies in the amazing world of submarine!
Her Majesty´s Submarine Otus of the British Oberon Class, served for 28 years in the 1st Submarine Squadron of the British Royal Navy.
The submarine was built in 1963, surved with 68 crew members in Falkland War and 1991 in Persian Gulf War.
Now the boat is in Sassnitz on Rügen. You can visit all days 10 am - 4 am (winter time) or 10 am - 7 pm, April - October.

It was an adventure to be inside, look for the technic and have the feeling to be under water. I was excited, thrilled to be there. But I can say, never I could stay only a day inside with the knowledge to be under water in true!

I shot so much pitctures that I have to put inside an extra album.

Website is also in English language with technical details and very interesting pictures about history and technical stuff of Otus.

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Address: Sassnitz, harbour
Website: http://www.hms-otus.com/

In the middle of of lovely beech forests Wilhelm Maltas let built himself that hunting palace on the 107 ms high temple mountain. Was completed by Johann Gotthard Steinmeyer, and is an often visited sight.
A special attraction point is the 38 ms high tower, that was constructed 1844 after plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The outlook platform enables lovely views over the island, on the Baltic Sea and the Bodden sea.

Inside some exhibitions are to be seen, some over Schinkel itself, or interstingly about C.D. Friedrich, the famous painter. Remarkably the stairway in the middle tower (Schinkel). 154 steps, out of metal and with lovely ornaments.
Non recomandable for people with fear of heights!

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Address: Granitz, Binz
Directions: reachable by Jagdschlossexpress (by train), look for my tip transportation
Website: http://www.pommersches-landesmuseum.de/granitz.html

Sassnitz, the little town has many faces. At first his harbour with the longest European jetty, 1444 ms totally. The town has an old history. Many fishing boats also today lies in the harbour. But the main means of income got tourism, more than ever.

Belong quays you find boats, former on the Sea and changed now to restaurants. If you like to eat on a boat, there are much of this in harbour. Everywhere in harbour you get fresh seafood.

You can book also a tour to world famous Kreideküste (coast of Cretaceous, chalk) with its Königsstuhl, often painted, often fotographed... and too often visited. :)) The tour over the Sea is therefore the better way. Look for my special tip.

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Address: region Jasmund, East part of isle
Directions: from Stralsund on B96
Website: http://www.wild-east.de/meckpom/ruegen/sassnitz/

The most little National Park of Germany is Jasmund, famous for its wonderful nature on land and the cliff hangers of chalk, many kilometers long. The most famous point is the Königsstuhl, 117ms high.

We made a tour with a small motor cutter, very recommandably. Started in Sassnitz (ask at information point in harbour for that) and enjoyed the fantastic views to the cliff hangers.

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Website: http://www.ruegen-hiddensee.de/Sehenswertes/Ruegens-Kreidekueste---Nationalpark-Jasmund.html

Since long time that romantic fishing village was the harbour of sailing boats. Therefore it was also in the past (19th century) a very rich village at Baltic Sea. The center is still that harbour.
From there you can start to Hiddensee and other ship tours, too.

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Address: Breege-Juliusruh
Website: http://www.ostseebad-breege.de/index.php?a=willkommen