Discover Barth on the Barther Bodden

Barth combines its location on the Barther Bodden with distinctive reminders of the town’s history and themes related to printing and seafaring. There are several ways to plan your trip: focus on the water, architecture, exhibitions or regional maritime history.

Barth on the Barther Bodden

Barth lies on the south shore of the Barther Bodden. The bodden is part of a chain of coastal lagoons separated from the Baltic Sea by the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. This geographical setting makes the bodden a defining feature of the town.

The town harbour in Barth is the departure point for passenger boats to Zingst and Hiddensee. If a boat trip is part of your plans, check the timetable for your preferred date. This lets you include the trip as a separate activity without assuming a particular departure time.

Church and town history

Construction of St. Mary’s Church in Barth began around 1300. Its eastern choir is the oldest part of the church and was built in the Early Gothic style. The building’s history can therefore be read in a specific part of the structure: the choir connects the age of the building with its architectural style.

The organ also makes St. Mary’s a special destination for culture enthusiasts. It was built by the Berlin organ builder Buchholz and is especially valuable for its unique sound. Organ concerts are held in the church from June to September; check the concert dates when planning your trip. The tower can be visited up to 30 minutes before the church closes, when the reading café is open. Check opening hours before your visit.

Together with the Fangelturm, the Dammtor is one of the only surviving remains of the town’s medieval fortifications. The Fangelturm dates from the 16th century. Together, the two landmarks represent Barth’s surviving fortification history; the date of the Fangelturm adds a specific point of reference.

The Adliges Fräuleinstift stands in the heart of Barth. This Baroque complex has two wings and was built between 1733 and 1741. It offers a different perspective on architectural history from the church and medieval fortifications: here, the Baroque style and the period of construction are the defining features.

Museums, printing and seafaring

The Vineta Museum in Barth documents the town’s history and notable figures in art, literature and science across four floors. Its permanent exhibitions include the Barther Bible, the history of Barth and the legend of Vineta, which gave the museum its name. The themes range from local history to a legend also reflected in the name of the museum.

At the St. Jürgen Low German Bible Centre, you can print on a replica of Gutenberg’s printing press by prior arrangement. If you are interested in the history of books, you can try the printing process for yourself; participation must be arranged in advance.

The Windjammer Museum in Barth organises guided tours and talks on regional maritime history and the era of the last large sailing ships on request. If you are interested in this topic, make arrangements before your trip. Together with the town harbour, the museum adds the history of seafaring and how it is presented to the picture of Barth.

Culture in the wider Vorpommern-Rügen travel region

The wider cultural context may also be of interest when planning your trip: Vorpommern-Rügen is known, among other things, for the Störtebeker Festival. The district is estimated to have around 60 museums. These figures apply to Vorpommern-Rügen; in Barth itself, the Vineta Museum is a specific place to explore the town’s history and the exhibitions mentioned above.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lüdershagen, Pruchten, Bartelshagen Ii Bei Barth, Divitz-Spoldershagen, Fuhlendorf, Löbnitz, Kenz-Küstrow, Saal.

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Amt Barth.