Wolgast

Churches, a Chapel and a Historic Route

St. Peter’s Church is a three-aisled brick basilica dating from the 14th century. Its crypt contains the burial place of the last Dukes of Pomerania. Visitors can climb its tower, which is 184 steps high, for views across the town: from a height of 40 metres, the view stretches over Wolgast to the island of Usedom. The building’s history and the views offer different focal points for a visit.

The Way of the Cross to Jerusalem leads from St. Peter’s to St. Gertrude’s Chapel, a replica of the Holy Sepulchre. In the 15th century, Duke Wartislaw IX of Pomerania had the historic route recreated after a journey to Jerusalem. It is a 1:1 copy of the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem and is about one Roman mile long. St. Gertrude’s Chapel is a twelve-sided brick building with a central column and star vault dating from the 15th century. Of the more than 30 Gertrude chapels originally found in Pomerania, only four survive today; the one in Wolgast is the only one in Germany. Those interested in religious architecture and the history of devotional routes can explore these places as distinct aspects of the town experience.

Town History and Maritime Technology

The “Kaffeemühle” town museum tells the story of Wolgast’s development across four floors, from a Pomeranian royal residence to a modern shipbuilding centre. The museum also offers residents and visitors a digital reconstruction of the former Wolgast ducal castle, which no longer exists. The town’s history and a vivid reconstruction of a vanished building can thus be explored side by side.

The railway steam ferry “Stralsund” presents another chapter in the history of technology. It was built at the Schichau shipyard in Elbing and entered service on 20 October 1890, commissioned by the Royal Prussian Railway Mechanical Engineering Office. The vessel is considered Europe’s oldest railway steam ferry and is a listed monument. Guided tours are offered on board. Wolgast’s museum harbour is located on the so-called Schlossinsel (Castle Island) in the Peenestrom; it adds a specific waterside location to the town’s maritime attractions.

The Historic Town Hall is also part of the town’s history: its present form dates from the early 18th century. A museum dedicated to the life and work of painter Philipp Otto Runge, who died in 1810, opened in his birthplace on 23 July 1997, the 220th anniversary of his birth. The cultural offering thus ranges from architectural history to exploring the work of an individual artist.

Places on the Peenestrom and Around Town

Dreilindengrund bathing area lies on the Peenestrom, north of Wolgast town centre. It has bicycle parking, play facilities and a barbecue area. These amenities may be useful when planning your day if you would like to combine time by the water with parking your bike, playing or having a barbecue.

The Mühlenstein-Park on Dr.-Theodor-Neubauer-Straße offers a different kind of discovery. This small park features a freely accessible collection established in the late 1980s, comprising prehistoric millstones and millstones from the modern era. Comparing the different pieces takes you through two clearly defined periods. Together with its churches, museums and routes through town, Wolgast offers a selection that can be tailored to your interests in history, architecture, art, technology or walking routes.

More places at this level of the site: Zemitz, Krummin, Buggenhagen, Sauzin, Lütow and Lassan.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Amt Am Peenestrom.

More about the destination

Information to help you plan your trip:

Wolgast, townhouses in the seaside town of Wolgast.