Discover Wolgast: Churches, Harbour and Historic Routes
Accommodation in Wolgast
In Wolgast, historic architecture, maritime history and routes with different perspectives come together. The tower of St. Petri Church offers sweeping views across the town to the island of Usedom: visitors can climb its 184 steps and take in the view from a height of 40 metres. The building itself is also a landmark of the town’s history. The three-aisled brick basilica dates from the 14th century; its crypt is the burial place of the last dukes of Pomerania.
Brick Churches and Town History
St. Gertrude’s Chapel provides a different architectural accent. This 12-sided brick building from the 15th century has a central column and a stellar vault. Of the more than 30 chapels dedicated to St. Gertrude that once stood in Pomerania, only four remain today; the chapel in Wolgast is the only one in Germany. The Historic Town Hall also bears witness to earlier phases of construction: it took its present form in the early 18th century.
Spread over four floors, the “Kaffeemühle” town museum traces Wolgast’s development from a Pomeranian residence town to a modern shipbuilding centre. Visitors can also view a digital reconstruction of the lost ducal palace at the Wolgast Town Museum. Another cultural landmark is Philipp Otto Runge: a museum dedicated to his life and work opened in his birthplace on 23 July 1997, on what would have been his 220th birthday.
Maritime Traces on the Peenestrom
Wolgast Museum Harbour is located on the so-called Schlossinsel in the Peenestrom. The listed railway steam ferry “Stralsund” represents a distinct chapter in maritime history: it was commissioned by the Royal Prussian Railway Engineering Office on 20 October 1890 and built at the Schichau shipyard in Elbing. It is considered Europe’s oldest railway steam ferry. Guided tours are offered on board.
Routes with Different Themes
Those who want to explore Wolgast on foot or by bike will also find specific routes to follow. A section of the Hanseatic Trail runs from Greifswald via Buddenhagen and Hohendorf through the town and onwards to the island of Usedom. Wolgast is also on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, the Way of St James and the E9.
The Jerusalem Way of the Cross has its own historical and spiritual focus. It leads from St. Petri to St. Gertrude’s Chapel, a replica of the Holy Sepulchre. The Way of the Cross is a 1:1 copy of the route in Jerusalem and is about one Roman mile long. In the 15th century, Duke Wartislaw IX of Pomerania had this historic route recreated after travelling to Jerusalem. The routes therefore have distinct themes: the Hanseatic Trail passes through Wolgast and continues to Usedom, while the Jerusalem Way of the Cross links two religious sites in the town.
Waterside Spots and a Freely Accessible Collection
North of Wolgast town centre, the Dreilindengrund bathing area lies on the Peenestrom. Facilities there include bicycle parking, play areas and a barbecue spot. The Mühlenstein Park on Dr.-Theodor-Neubauer-Straße offers a different kind of exploration: this small park is home to a freely accessible collection established in the late 1980s. It includes prehistoric millstones and millstones from the modern era.
What to Consider When Choosing Accommodation
If you are planning a trip with people who have different interests, it helps to organise your Wolgast visit by theme: historic buildings and museums offer a different focus from maritime attractions or walking and cycling routes. When choosing accommodation, you can use the places and routes that matter to your trip as a guide to narrowing down the location. That way, your search reflects what you want to experience in Wolgast.
In the Wider Vorpommern-Greifswald Destination
The wider Vorpommern-Greifswald destination also has its own nature and culture attractions. The district’s three nature parks cover almost 40 per cent of its area. In Peenemünde, you can explore the Juliett U-461 Museum on a guided tour; check the current tour options before planning your visit. The Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald displays the Croy Tapestry from 1554, a unique cultural and historical artefact from the Reformation era.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Krummin, Zemitz, Buggenhagen, Sauzin, Lassan, Lütow.
Back to the overview of the wider destination: Amt Am Peenestrom.
