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Hiddensee Island in East GermanyA Baltic Sea Vacation Island offering Beaches, Bikes, Art and Amber
Hiddensee is an idyllic resort island in the Baltic Sea with sandy beaches next to Rügen, East Germany. Great opportunities for swimming, hiking, sailing and fishing
About 1.300 people live on Hiddensee, the ‘jewel of the Baltic’, an 18 square km resort island, in northeastern Germany. It is overshadowed by its bigger and richer cousin, the island of Rügen. Hiddensee can be reached on daily ferry services from Stralsund (a UNESCO town) on the mainland or the town of Schaprode on Rügen. The local saying is “whoever visits Hiddensee, almost always returns.” An Artist's ColonyIn the early 20th century scientists, artists and painters (Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Franz Kafka and Billy Wilder among them), discovered the charm of the island with its flat dune heath in the south and a hilly thorn-bush landscape in the north. During the time of the cold war Hiddensee became a resort for East Germany's political elite. Today art galleries and exhibits abound on the island. In the old sea rescue station in Kloster, the local history museum tells of the traditions of the Slavic people and a Viking treasure swept ashore in the year 950. If you are willing to stay for a while on the island, you truly get away from it all. There are no private cars allowed on Hiddensee, but comfortable Dutch bicycles are for rent in several shops right at the harbor in Kloster and Vitte. The only other options are to explore Hiddensee on foot or by horse-drawn coach. Local carriage companies employ over 100 Haflinger cart-horses. Coastal Landscapes of Extreme Beauty and Unspoiled NatureHiddensee’s countryside is unspoiled and strictly protected as part of a recently created National Park. Excellent hiking trails crisscross the island with its 16 kilometers of fine, sandy beaches. Blue and white striped roofed beach chairs can be rented and nude bathing is very popular. Opportunities for sailing and fishing abound. In the north near Kloster a winding path leads through wild seabuckthorn bushes with their bright orange berries to the highest hill (72m above sea level). It ends at a lighthouse with panoramic views.The flat landscape towards the South is extraordinary lovely when the yellow broom and purple heather are in bloom. During the breeding season in spring and before migration many species of birds nest in the dunes and salty marshes. Amber and Seabuckthorn (Sanddorn)One of the Baltic’s treasures is the golden amber (Bernstein - literally "burned stone"). Amber is fossil resin or tree sap of primeval trees. Smaller and larger pieces are found on the beaches around the Baltic especially after a strong Northwest storm. Although not mineralized it is considered a gemstone. Local artists sell handcrafted amber jewelry, and they take the time to chat and tell where they found specific pieces. Another local specialty are teas and skin care products made from the leaves and oil of seabuckthorn. The oil contains the beneficial Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E. Seabuckthorn skin creams and soaps have been used for centuries to treat delicate skin. A special treat is the seabuckthorn schnapps offered in gift shops at the harbor. Accommodations on the island range from your basic Bed and Breakfast (Pension), apartments and vacation homes to three-star hotels. During the summer months reservations are a must. Island of Hiddensee (German and English)
The copyright of the article Hiddensee Island in East Germany in Germany Travel is owned by Christine Welter. Permission to republish Hiddensee Island in East Germany in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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