Barth – Bodden Location, Church and City History
Accommodation in Barth
Barth combines its location on the Bodden with a history of its own and cultural discoveries. The town lies on the southern shore of the Barther Bodden, within the Bodden chain separated from the Baltic Sea by the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. Passenger ships depart from Barth’s town harbour for Zingst and Hiddensee. When planning your holiday, you can therefore consider whether you are mainly interested in architectural history, museums and organ music, or whether you would also like to include a trip from the town harbour. These points of interest can help you decide whether a holiday apartment in Barth is right for your trip.
Barth am Barther Bodden, im Hintergrund das Ostseebad Zingst.
Photo: Hovers via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Church, Organ and Historic Buildings
Construction of St Mary’s Church in Barth began around 1300. Its oldest part is the choir at the eastern end, built in the early Gothic style. The church houses an organ by Berlin organ builder Buchholz, which is particularly valuable for its unique sound. Organ concerts are held in the church from June to September. The tower can be visited up to 30 minutes before the church closes, provided the reading café is open. This condition is important for planning; the concerts and the tower visit are separate reasons to take an interest in the church.
The surviving buildings also reveal the medieval fortifications: the Dammtor gate, together with the Fangelturm tower, is one of the few remaining structures. The Fangelturm dates from the 16th century. The Adlige Fräuleinstift in the heart of Barth offers a different architectural impression. This two-winged Baroque complex was built between 1733 and 1741. Together, these sites illustrate different chapters of the town’s history, from medieval fortifications and tower construction to Baroque architecture.
Exhibitions and Special Insights
The Vineta Museum of the town of Barth documents the town’s history, as well as notable figures from art, literature and science, across four floors. Its permanent exhibitions cover subjects that offer different ways to explore Barth: the Barther Bible, the town’s history and the legend of Vineta, which gave the museum its name. Those interested in cultural history will find several perspectives in one place. Before your visit, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in the Bible, the town’s development or the legend.
At the St. Jürgen Low German Bible Centre in Barth, you can print on a replica Gutenberg printing press by prior arrangement. On request, the Windjammer Museum organises guided tours and talks on regional maritime history and the age of the last large sailing ships. The two offers appeal to different interests: one focuses on a hands-on encounter with printing, the other on the region’s maritime history. Remember to make the necessary arrangements or enquiry when planning your visit.
Other places to discover as destinations in their own right: Trinwillershagen, Fuhlendorf, Saal, Divitz-Spoldershagen, Bartelshagen Ii Bei Barth, Löbnitz, Pruchten, Lüdershagen.
For the wider travel overview: Amt Barth.
