Kamminke: Fishing Village on the Szczecin Lagoon
Accommodation in Kamminke
Kamminke is one of the oldest fishing villages on the island of Usedom. The village is located right on the Szczecin Lagoon in the eastern Achterland; it was first mentioned in official records in 1253. Historic fishermen’s houses, steep streets, winding lanes and characteristic thatched roofs shape the village’s appearance. The village’s history is tangible not only through a date, but also through its houses and streetscapes. For travellers wishing to combine a stay by the lagoon with a look at the village’s historic architecture, Kamminke offers specific points of interest.
Village History and Remembrance
On 12 March 2005, the German War Graves Commission opened the Golm International Youth Meeting and Education Centre in the fishing village. Its peace education programmes are aimed primarily at schools and international youth exchanges. Its own educational programmes with a German-Polish focus are offered in German and Polish; specific programmes may vary. German-Polish educational work is therefore also one of the themes associated with Kamminke.
Not far from the village, the German War Graves Commission holds an annual commemoration on Golm Hill on 12 March and Remembrance Day for the Dead to honour those killed in the 1945 bombing raid. Since 1984, the site has been home to the statue “The Freezing Woman in a Soldier’s Coat,” created by Bansin sculptor Rudolf Leptien. The recurring commemorations and the permanently installed artwork give a visit to Golm a clear historical and commemorative focus. The dates take place annually; the details of individual events may change.
Lagoon Location, Views and Hiking
Golm Hill rises near Kamminke and, at 71 metres, is the highest point on the island of Usedom. From there, views extend across the Szczecin Lagoon as far as Świnoujście; visibility depends on the weather. This brings two different perspectives to the fore during a stay: Kamminke lies right on the lagoon, while nearby Golm offers sweeping views across the landscape.
The approximately 9-kilometre Golm hike is a circular route from Garz via Kamminke and Golm Hill, returning to Garz. If you include it in your day’s plans, you can use this approximate distance for planning; trail and road conditions may change. On the hike, the route to Kamminke harbour follows Bergstraße, where the gradient is 12 percent. This gives you a sense of the route not only in terms of its total length, but also its steep section.
Kamminke harbour has around 30 berths; work at the harbour may change its capacity. There are seats at the landing stage with an unobstructed view of the fishing boats on the Szczecin Lagoon. This offers a different way to spend the day than following the route via Garz and Golm Hill: instead of continuing along the trail, you can linger at the harbour and watch the boats on the lagoon. Harbour facilities may change.
Kamminke as a Base for Your Trip
Kamminke’s location right on the Szczecin Lagoon, its harbour and the nearby hiking route offer different points of interest. Shape your search around the kind of day that suits your trip, and check the location of each accommodation option against your own plans.
If you are planning a stay that extends beyond the village itself, you can also consider the wider area of Vorpommern-Greifswald: the district’s three nature parks cover almost 40 percent of its area. This adds a view of the district’s natural landscape to Kamminke’s distinctive lagoon location and village history.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Rankwitz, Korswandt, Koserow, Garz, Benz on Usedom, Zempin, Mellenthin, Usedom.
For the higher-level travel overview: Amt Usedom-Süd.
