Garz: Hotels and Accommodation

Garz, a municipality in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is located on the northern shore of the Szczecin Lagoon. The village lies in the eastern hinterland of Usedom, directly on the small lagoon, and within the Usedom Nature Park. Garz is also situated directly on the Polish border.

Location and Landscape

Garz is home to the Golm, the highest elevation on Usedom: the ridge reaches 69 metres. Since the Schengen enlargement in December 2007, the Garz–Świnoujście border crossing has been passable by car.

Culture and Remembrance

Garz has a late Gothic church dedicated to Mary Magdalene, parts of which date back to the 13th century. It has no tower and contains votive ships. An exhibition in the church is dedicated to the Golm as a war cemetery and memorial site for the thousands of victims of the bombing of Świnoujście in 1945.

The German war cemetery “Auf dem Golm” is located in Garz on Usedom, directly on the Polish border. It is the largest cemetery complex in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. A military cemetery was established on the Golm in 1944; by the end of the Second World War, more than 250 members of the navy and at least 1,000 members of the army and air force had been buried there. A permanent exhibition has been housed in the information centre at the war cemetery since 2001.

Routes and Orientation

The Golm hiking trail connects Garz, Kamminke and the Golm before returning to Garz. It begins at the church in Garz and passes through hilly terrain, including a steep ascent and descent at the Golm. Signposts and a green dot mark the route. The Golm hiking trail is accessible by car; parking is available in Garz.

Restaurants around the Szczecin Lagoon serve freshly caught fish and traditional home-style cooking.

Other destinations at the same level are Ückeritz, Benz on Usedom, Usedom, Kamminke, Dargen, Zirchow, Loddin and Pudagla.

To the higher-level travel overview: Amt Usedom-South.