Discover Gingst: Crafts, markets and RügenPark

Gingst combines a rural town centre with a lively history of craftsmanship and a wide variety of things to do. At the Historic Craft Workshops, you can discover traditional trades, while RügenPark offers everything from miniature models to a park railway. Markets and a cycling tour via Ummanz add further ways to experience Gingst and western Rügen during your stay.

The history of crafts in historic houses

The Historic Craft Workshops in Gingst are a complex comprising the two historic houses, “Kremkehaus” and “Efeuhaus”, an inner courtyard, a carriage house, a studio, a smithy, a small open-air stage and a museum café. The workshops showcase traditional trades such as shoemaking, fine white sewing, watchmaking and barbering, as well as a historic kitchen. A visit is therefore a chance to explore a range of trades and aspects of everyday life, rather than just a single craft.

At “Efeuhaus”, you can discover weaving on old looms and watch demonstrations up close. Gingst’s weaving history goes back further: in 1775, a weavers’ guild for linen and damask weaving was established as a renewal of an earlier guild. Damask fabrics became a Gingst speciality and brought the craft a new period of prosperity. Anyone interested in textiles can see the connection between a weaving technique demonstrated today and the historical importance of weaving to the town.

St. James’ Church is another prominent cultural landmark in Gingst: it is the second-largest church on the island of Rügen. A puzzle trail through Gingst starts at the church’s main portal and takes about an hour. It combines a visit to the town with a challenge, without requiring you to plan a longer excursion.

RügenPark: miniatures, railway and cable car

At RügenPark Gingst, you can explore the park in different ways. The “Emma” park railway takes you around the entire RügenPark. The cable car crosses the pond; from a height of seven metres, you can enjoy a view over the park, the miniature park and the route taken by “Emma”. A ride through the grounds and a bird’s-eye view offer two different perspectives on the park.

Another attraction is the white-water carousel: six riders can control the speed of their gliders and experience centrifugal force. This gives groups travelling together a specific activity to enjoy, while the railway and cable car offer other ways to explore. RügenPark complements Gingst’s historic attractions with a leisure activity featuring movement and technology.

Markets, regional produce and excursions

Markets selling regional products are held throughout the year in the lovingly restored market square. The Green Market at the museum courtyard of the Historic Craft Workshops is a separate event: it takes place every Saturday from May to October and offers local products and crafts. Visitors can enjoy refreshments and regional products at the Gingst Museum Café. A visit to the market and café can therefore be considered separate highlights of a stay in Gingst.

If you would like to plan a longer cycling tour, you can choose the approximately 32-kilometre circular route “Rural Life and Bodden Serenity in Western Rügen”. It leads from Gingst via the island of Ummanz, along the dyke cycle path and back again. Another excursion idea is closer by: at Pansevitz Castle Park near Gingst, you can climb the old castle ruins via two spiral staircases and enjoy views over the park and its adjoining forest cemetery.

The renovation and redesign of the town centre have helped Gingst develop into an attractive hub in western Rügen with rural charm. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Gingst, the craft workshops, markets and RügenPark can help you decide what you would like to focus on during your stay. You can also discover these nearby places: Ummanz, Hiddensee Island, Rambin, Kluis, Dreschvitz, Trent, Altefähr and Samtens.

For the broader travel overview: Amt West-Rügen.