Page 56 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

54 BACK ROADS GERMANY

5 Rügen
Mecklenburg-Lower Pomerania; 18556, 18546, 18609
Two centuries of tourism have not marred the appeal of Germany’s largest
island (926 sq km/357 sq miles). Whether exploring its rural villages, relaxing
in beach resorts in belle époque villas, riding a vintage steam train or strolling
along chalk cliffs, Rügen’s appeal is timeless and simple.
1 Putbus The Rasender Roland
Putbus’s Markt, with its Neo-Classical The Rasender Roland (open daily;
theatre and smart Circus, would not www.ruegensche-baederbahn.de), or
look out of place in a city. In this large Racing Roland, is a steam-powered
village, however, it appears almost narrow-gauge railway that plies on
aristocratic. Prince Wilhelm Malte I Rügen and provides an enjoyable
had hoped to create a Prussian St change from travelling by car. The
Tropez when he unsuccessfully plan- steam locomotives whistle out of
ned the village as a health spa in 1809. Putbus station north ward through
Unfortunately, his castle was blown the fields at 30 kph (19 mph), pause
up with dynamite in the 1960s – the at Jagdschloss Granitz and Binz en
story goes that a local mayor wanted route before terminating an hour
to impress East Germany’s Communist later in Göhren in east Rügen.
rulers – although the orangery and
park remain, as does the colonnaded to Königsstuhl, or opt for a pleasant
Badehaus, or bathhouse, which lies 3-km (2-mile) stroll.
2 km (1 mile) away, near Lauterbach.
From here, it is possible to take a boat 3 Königsstuhl
trip to the Vilm Island Nature Reserve. A lovely road from Sassnitz cuts
ª Drive through Putbus towards the through the Nationalpark Jasmund,
seaside town of Binz. Beyond Nistelitz a landscape of spacious beech
village, turn left at the T-junction, then woods that cover white chalk sea
turn right to reach the Jagdschloss cliffs. Romantic artist Caspar David
Granitz car park. Friedrich (1774–1840) immortalized
Top Viewpoint on a cliff in the Nationalpark the scenery in his etchings and oils,
Jasmund, Rügen Above Neo-Classical 2 Jagdschloss Granitz so popularizing the Königsstuhl (open
hunting castle, Jagdschloss Granitz A Neo-Classical hunting castle of daily) that in 1865 Kasier Wilhelm I
Prince Wilhelm Malte I, Jagdschloss himself inspected the chalk bluff
BOAT TRIPS Granitz (May–Sep: open daily; Oct–Apr: with his daughter Princess Viktoria.
closed Mon) crowns the Tempelburg Königsstuhl literally means “king’s
Reederei Hiddensee (www.reederei-
hiddensee.de), Adler Schiffe (www. Hill, the highest point in east Rügen. stool”, a name derived from the tradi-
adler-schiffe.de) and Weisse Flotte Climb up the castle’s 38-m (125-ft) tion that Rügen’s early rulers followed
(www.weisse-flotte.de) ferries ply along high tower for a sweeping panorama to prove them selves worthy by climb-
the north coast from May–Oct. of the Baltic Sea. An apocryphal tale ing the 118-m (388-ft) high cliff. For a
explains this curiosity as
VISITING RÜGEN the prince’s ruse to settle Kap Arkona 0 kilometers 12
a land dispute – Swedish Putgarten
Tourist Information 0 miles 12
Alleestrasse 35, 18581 Putbus; 038301 rulers agreed he could Dranske Wiek Altenkirchen
431; Heinrich-Heine-Strasse 7, 18509 own whatever he saw Tromper Wiek
Binz; 038393 14 81 48 from his castle. Glowe Lohme Königsstuhl
Spread along the Vitt Grosser Jasmund Hagen
coast beyond, Binz, Neuendorf Trent Rappin Jasmunder Sassnitz
WHERE TO STAY IN RÜGEN Bodden
Rügen’s premier seaside Schaprode Kluis
Panorama Hotel Lohme moderate resort, is renowed for Gingst
This small hotel on a cliff has classic its ornate villas and Kubitzer Bergen Binz
modern decor and great sea views. fine beach. Bodden Rüg en Zirkow Jagdschloss
An der Steilküste 8, 18551 Lohme ª Head through Binz Prohn Samtens Granitz
(2 km/1 mile north of Königsstuhl car Altefähr Putbus Nistelitz
park); 038302 91 10; www.lohme.com to Sassnitz to take the Lauterbach Göhren
B96 to the Nationalpark Garz
Cerês expensive Jasmund and the Stralsund Poseritz Greifswalder
Bodden
This five-star hotel brings metropolitan Zudar Thiessow
style to the traditional seafront. Königsstuhl car park in
Strandpromenade 24, 18509; 038393 Hagen village. Visitors Zarrendorf Reinberg
666 70; www.ceres-hotel.de can either take the bus
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150
054-055_175705_BR_GER.indd 54 25/07/16 2:08 pm
Back Roads LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 24th March 2009
Size 145mm x 217mm
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