Greifswald: Brick Gothic, Art and Paths along the Ryck

Brick Gothic and Caspar David Friedrich

The historic townscape is shaped by medieval Brick Gothic architecture. An important landmark is St. Nikolai Cathedral: it is the church where the painter Caspar David Friedrich was baptised and a cultural monument of national significance. If you are interested in the connection between Greifswald and Friedrich, you can include the cathedral in your exploration of the town’s history.

A guided tour at the Caspar-David-Friedrich Centre explores the painter’s family history. The centre is located in Friedrich’s birthplace; the tour also covers the history of his father’s soap-making and candle-making workshops. The authentic rooms give these subjects a tangible setting. The visit therefore focuses both on Friedrich’s family background and on his father’s craft.

Another way to explore Friedrich’s life and work is the Greifswald Caspar David Friedrich Picture Trail. It leads through Greifswald and the surrounding area and includes 15 stops at important places in the painter’s life and work. You can explore the trail independently on foot or by bicycle. This makes it possible to plan time spent exploring the artist as a distinct part of your stay.

Ships and the Wieck Drawbridge

The Museum Harbour is home to more than 50 ships and is considered Germany’s largest museum harbour. Aboard the museum ships Hanne-Marie and Vorpommern, you can travel from Greifswald Museum Harbour via Wieck and out onto the Greifswalder Bodden. The harbour thus combines a visit to the ships with the opportunity to continue your journey on the water.

During the season, the MS Stubnitz excursion steamer also makes daily trips from the Museum Harbour via the fishing village of Wieck and out onto the Greifswalder Bodden and back. In Wieck, you can board and disembark on the south side to explore the fishing village and the Eldena Abbey ruins. If you plan a boat trip as part of your journey, this excursion is distinct in offering the option to disembark in Wieck and continue your visit there.

Wieck is also home to the drawbridge, with its distinctive design and history. It was formally inaugurated on 25 July 1887. Its two leaves are each 13.30 metres long and are still drawn by hand. The exact date and dimensions are among the notable details of this structure.

Walks in town and along the Ryck

The ramparts encircle the historic heart of Greifswald for more than 2 kilometres and are ideal for long walks all year round. They offer a way to include walks in your plans without choosing a longer route along the Ryck.

The well-maintained towpath runs from the Museum Harbour in central Greifswald for around 5 kilometres along the Ryck, directly to the fishing village of Wieck. Its approximate length is a useful guide if you are planning this route as a separate outing. Unlike the ramparts, it follows the river from the Museum Harbour to Wieck.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can consider which of these experiences you want to shape your stay: art and local history, walks through the historic heart, a route along the Ryck, or a boat trip on the Bodden. This way, your search starts with the kind of trip you want, rather than with a general comparison of accommodation. Greifswald offers a range of distinct starting points.

If you would also like to explore other destinations, find them here: Amt Löcknitz-Penkun, Amt Am Stettiner Haff, Pasewalk, Amt Usedom-Nord, Amt Anklam-Land, Strasburg, Anklam, Amt Jarmen-Tutow.

For the broader travel overview: Vorpommern-Greifswald.