The city of Sassnitz (until February 2, 1993 Saßnitz) is a
state-approved resort on the Baltic Sea. It is located on the
Jasmund peninsula in the northeast of the island of Rügen and
belongs to the district of Vorpommern-Rügen in
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany).
For many centuries it was
primarily a small fishing village, around 1890 a larger port and the
railway connection were added. Saßnitz became a popular ferry
location and seaside resort. The place only received city rights in
1957, making it the second youngest city in Mecklenburg-Western
Pomerania.
In 2012 Sassnitz received the UNESCO World Natural
Heritage title for the rich primeval beech forests in the Jasmund
National Park. To the north-east of the city center, the chalk coast
begins with the Stubbenkammer and the Königsstuhl. Sassnitz is also
known for its spa architecture in the spa district and for the
Sassnitz ferry port in the southern district of Mukran.
By plane
For information, see the Rügen article here.
By
train
Sassnitz is no longer served by long-distance trains. In
regional traffic there is an hourly connection from Rostock
(Hanse-Express) and Stralsund. The main train station is in the center
of the city. The newly designed bus station is directly adjacent.
Another stop is Lancken station. From here you can easily start by
bike in the direction of the Königsstuhl - without being endangered by
car traffic.
In the street
The city of Sassnitz forms the
northern terminus of the federal highway B96. Sassnitz can also be
easily reached by car from Binz and Hagen via country roads.
By
boat
Sassnitz ferry port. is just outside of town in Mukran.
Train/car ferries to the Swedish town of Ystad run several times a day
on the traditional "King's Line". There are ferry connections to the
island of Bornholm to Rønne several times a week.
By bicycle
Coming from Sagard, the B 96- Sassnitz does not have a cycle path.
Please do not use as a cyclist! For a safe alternative route, see the
map on the right.
A new cycle path has been leading from HAGEN to
Sassnitz since 2020. This leads through untouched beech forests and is
easy to drive on.
From the direction of Binz, a cycle path leads
to Sassnitz. This is 95% well developed. About 500 m in Mukran without a
bike path are difficult to drive.
Most of the city's sights can easily be reached on foot. Since the
summer of 2007, you can also get to the city harbor from Rügenplatz via
a newly built pedestrian bridge.
Sassnitz has a city transport
line whose buses run every hour from Monday to Friday during the day.
1.
Jasmund National Park and the Chalk Cliffs (Kreidefelsen)
The
most famous landmark associated with Sassnitz is the Jasmund National
Park, Germany's smallest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
(recognized for its ancient beech forests and chalk cliffs).
The
dramatic white chalk cliffs (Kreidefelsen) rise steeply from the Baltic
Sea, reaching heights of up to 118 meters (387 ft) at the Königsstuhl
("King's Chair"), the highest point. These cliffs, formed from
Cretaceous-period deposits, are constantly eroding due to waves, wind,
and weather, creating a dynamic landscape with boulder beaches, flint
bands, and fossils.
Hochuferweg Trail: A popular hiking path along
the clifftops from Sassnitz toward Lohme, offering breathtaking views.
Key viewpoints include the Victoria View and Wissower Ufer.
National
Park Centre Königsstuhl: Features exhibitions on the geology, forests,
and marine life. Access often involves a short bus or hike from parking
areas near Sassnitz.
The combination of white cliffs, turquoise sea,
and dense green beech forests inspired Romantic artists like Caspar
David Friedrich.
2. Sassnitz Harbor and Old Town (Stadthafen /
Altstadt)
The historic Old Town Harbor is the heart of Sassnitz, with
traditional fishing boats, restored waterfront buildings, and a lively
atmosphere.
Sassnitz Pedestrian Bridge: A prominent landmark
connecting the upper town to the promenade and harbor below. It offers
scenic views and leads to waterfront amenities.
Lighthouse
(Leuchtturm Sassnitz): Built in 1912 at the harbor entrance, it provides
panoramic views of the Baltic Sea and arriving ferries.
Strandpromenade: A scenic seaside promenade perfect for strolls, with
restaurants serving fresh seafood.
3. HMS Otus Submarine Museum
(Erlebniswelt U-Boot)
Docked in Sassnitz Harbor, the HMS Otus is a
decommissioned British Oberon-class submarine from the Cold War era, now
a fascinating naval museum.
Visitors can tour the interior to learn
about submarine life, naval history, and the town's maritime past. It's
one of the most unique attractions in the area.
4. Sassnitz
Fisheries and Local History Museum
This museum documents the town's
fishing heritage with exhibits on traditional equipment, historical
photos, and prehistoric artifacts from the region. It's a great stop for
understanding Sassnitz's evolution from a fishing village to a resort
town.
5. Other Notable Landmarks and Attractions
Dwasieden
Castle Ruins: Perched on a hill above the sea, offering scenic views and
insights into local history.
Alaris Butterfly Park: A tropical
greenhouse with hundreds of free-flying exotic butterflies among lush
plants — ideal for families.
Sassnitz Wildlife Park (Tierpark
Sassnitz): On the edge of the national park, home to native and some
exotic animals.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Access: Sassnitz
is easily reachable by train or car from Stralsund or Binz. It's a great
base for exploring Rügen.
Best Time: Summer for hiking and beach
activities; shoulder seasons for fewer crowds and dramatic cliff views.
Activities: Hiking the Hochuferweg, boat tours for sea views of the
cliffs, and fresh seafood dining at the harbor.
Hike to the Victoria view and on to the Königsstuhl in the Jasmund
National Park.
HMS Otus Submarine Museum - An old, decommissioned
British submarine, the HMS OTUS (Oberon Class), can be viewed in the
harbour. Opening hours: May-October 10am to 7pm, otherwise 10am to 4pm.
Boat tours along the chalk coast are carried out by various shipping
companies. Tickets can be pre-booked online, which is an advantage in
peak season. You should be there on time.
MS ALEXANDER,
Strandpromenade 12, 18546 Sassnitz. Mobile: +49 162 9002766. Price:
adults €18.5, children 1 - 13 years €11.5.
Adler-Schiffe, 18546
Sassnitz, Hafenstraße 12 Haus J ((behind the submarine)). Tel.: +49 4651
9870888. Price: Adults €20.50. Last modified:
Shipping company
Lojewski. Tel.: +49 38 392 - 35 136. Passenger ships MS “Nordwind” and
MS “ Insel Rügen”. Price: adults €18.50, children 5 - 12 years €11, dogs
€4.
Location and Coordinates
Geographic coordinates: Approximately
54°30′59″N 13°38′28″E (or 54.51639°N, 13.64111°E).
It lies on the
Baltic Sea coast, about 22 km northeast of Bergen auf Rügen (the
island's main inland town) and roughly 50 km from Stralsund on the
mainland.
The town stretches along the eastern part of the Jasmund
peninsula, extending south to the Schmale Heide sandbar. Its position
provides natural shelter for the harbor due to the surrounding
peninsula.
Topography and Landscape
Sassnitz covers about
47.14 km² with an average elevation of around 30 m (98 ft), though the
terrain varies significantly. The landscape features a mix of steep
coastal slopes, rolling hills from ice-age deposits, and flatter areas.
Chalk Cliffs and Coastline: The most dramatic feature is the white
chalk cliffs of Jasmund, formed from Cretaceous-period deposits (about
70 million years old). These cliffs face constant erosion from waves,
wind, and weather, causing regular landslides. The highest and most
famous is Königsstuhl ("King's Chair") at 118 m (387 ft) above the
Baltic Sea. Other notable sections include the Wissower Klinken (which
partially collapsed in 2005). The cliffs create a striking contrast with
the blue sea and green forests.
Stubnitz Beech Forest: The town sits
at the southern end of the Stubnitz, a 7.5 km long and up to 4 km wide
ancient beech forest on coastal slopes. This primeval forest is part of
the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Ancient Beech Forests of Europe" due to
its undisturbed ecological history since the last Ice Age. Rare trees
like wild pear, wild apple, and yew grow here.
Other Features:
Ice-age moraine landscapes dominate, with depressions forming small
lakes (e.g., the deep Herthasee near Königsstuhl, about 150 m in
diameter and 11 m deep) and bogs. In the south near Mukran are the
protected Wostevitz ponds (a boggy nature reserve). Meadows,
pastureland, beaches, and boulder-strewn shores complete the varied
terrain. A small stream, the Steinbach, flows through the town.
The overall landscape is a Young Moraine formation shaped after the
Weichselian glaciation (about 12,000 years ago). Post-glacial processes,
including sea-level rise around 6,000 years ago, created the steep
shores and current configuration.
Climate
Sassnitz has a
temperate maritime climate moderated by the Baltic Sea. This results in:
Cooler summers and milder winters compared to inland areas.
Frequent
wind, high humidity, and precipitation distributed throughout the year
(umbrellas and windbreakers are recommended, especially in
autumn/winter).
The sea influences temperature stability but also
brings storms that accelerate cliff erosion.
Human Geography and
Settlements
The town is built into steep coastal slopes, creating a
terraced, multi-level appearance with winding streets, staircases, and
houses where roofs sometimes align with foundations of buildings above.
This challenging terrain defines its picturesque resort character.
Key subdivisions include areas like Mukran (site of the major ferry
port), and others such as Blieschow, Buddenhagen, and Stubbenkammer. The
borough extends to cover much of the eastern Jasmund peninsula.
Ecological Significance
Much of the surrounding area is protected
within Jasmund National Park (Germany's smallest at ~30 km²),
established in 1990. It encompasses the Stubnitz forest, chalk cliffs, a
marine corridor, meadows, moors, and former quarries. The park
highlights dynamic geological processes, rich biodiversity (including
unique flora/fauna in the beech forests and coastal habitats), and
scenic beauty that inspired Romantic artists like Caspar David
Friedrich.
Early History and Origins
The area’s human history dates back to
prehistoric times, with evidence of Slavic settlements (such as the hill
fort at Herthasee). The modern settlement originated as a small fishing
village. Sources trace it to the 13th century as the modest fishing
hamlet known as Lanke (or similar early names), with a handful of
families relying on the Baltic Sea for livelihood.
For centuries, it
remained a quiet fishing and farming community. Nearby Crampas was a
separate farming and fishing village. The dramatic chalk cliffs and
coastal landscapes saw limited development until the Romantic era.
19th Century: Rise as a Seaside Resort
The transformation began
in the early 19th century with the Romantic movement, which celebrated
Rügen’s rugged beauty. Artists and writers, including Caspar David
Friedrich, highlighted the chalk cliffs. In 1824, the first recorded
vacationers arrived—the family of theologian Friedrich
Schleiermacher—marking the start of tourism.
Key infrastructure
developments accelerated growth:
1871: Road upgraded.
1878: Boat
services to Stettin (now Szczecin).
1889: Port facilities developed,
with links to Bornholm (Rønne), Trelleborg (Sweden), and Memel
(Klaipėda).
1891: Railway connection from Bergen auf Rügen, linking
it to broader networks, including Berlin.
A beach promenade and
typical Baltic resort architecture (villas, hotels, and B&Bs) emerged.
The chalk industry (mining and processing) and fishing expanded
alongside tourism. In 1906, Crampas and Sassnitz merged into one
municipality. Famous visitors included Johannes Brahms and Kaiser
Wilhelm II. Literary fame came via Theodor Fontane’s Effi Briest, which
referenced Crampas.
By the early 20th century, Sassnitz had a growing
population and became an administrative center with ferry services,
including the important “King’s Line” to Sweden.
Early 20th
Century to WWII
Population grew steadily: from 332 in 1885 to 3,987
in 1925 and 7,826 in 1939. The harbor expanded significantly between
1934–1936 into a major fishing port, with one of Europe’s longest outer
moles (breakwaters) completed in 1912 (1,450 meters).
During World
War II, the port’s strategic importance made it a target. In the final
months of the war, as part of Operation Hannibal (the large-scale
evacuation of civilians and troops from East Prussia and Pomerania),
Sassnitz became a key arrival point for refugees. On March 6, 1945, RAF
Bomber Command attacked the overcrowded harbor and town, causing
significant damage and casualties amid ships and trains full of
evacuees.
GDR Era (East Germany, 1949–1990)
After the war,
Sassnitz became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was not
granted official town rights until 1957. The fishing industry expanded
with state support, including large processing facilities, making it a
major GDR fishing port. However, many historic B&B houses fell into
disrepair.
In 1984, the new deep-water ferry port at Mukran (part of
Sassnitz) was built as one of the GDR’s last major projects. It
supported railway ferries to the Soviet Union (especially Klaipėda),
bypassing Poland for military and goods transport. This made Mukran
strategically vital during the Cold War.
Population peaked in this
era (around 13,000–15,000 in the 1970s–80s) due to industrial and port
activities.
Post-Reunification (1990s–Present)
After German
reunification, the ferry port was modernized for broader Baltic services
(to Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, etc.). The historic center underwent
thorough renovation from 1991 onward, restoring resort architecture
(often painted white) and improving the old town harbor. A pedestrian
suspension bridge linking the center to the port opened in 2007.
Tourism rebounded, centered on the national park, chalk cliffs, hiking,
and the harbor (with attractions like the HMS Otus submarine museum).
Fishing remains important but has declined in scale. Population has
decreased to around 8,893 (as of recent data), reflecting broader rural
trends in eastern Germany.
Mukran Port continues as Germany’s
easternmost deep-water port, handling ferries, cargo, and more recently
controversial projects like potential LNG terminals. Economic challenges
include shifts in ferry routes and energy infrastructure debates.