On Thursday morning, May 17, we drove to the lovely Island of Rügen.
The island is noted for its beautiful and diverse coastline. At the town
of Göhren we visited the Folklore Museum that features costumes worn by
Pomeranians in the past and documents the seafaring background of the
Pomeranians. We also got to see the beach area in the town and the white
cliffs on the island.
Rügen is Germany's largest island and has a population of approximately
72,000. It is accessible by road and rail via a bridge link to the mainland. The
island was first populated about 4000 B.C. by members of the Funnelbeaker
culture, which exploited Rügen's flint deposits. It was later settled by
migrants from Scandinavia, a Germanic tribe called Rugians (who gave their name
to the island). In the 7th century the area was settled by Slavic people. They
were called the Rojane. Rügen became a Slavic principality, and was decimated by
Danish invaders in 1168. The area was under Danish influence until Rügen was
conquered by the Dukes of Pomerania in 1325, who established their own
principality. Rügen was part of Swedish Pomerania from 1648 to 1815. In 1815 it
became part of Prussia.
In 1816 the first bathing resort was founded at Putbus. It was patterned
after a phenomenon that began on the coast of Great Britain. Originally it was
for the idle rich, and bathing was segregated by sex. The area was very popular
with the Pomeranian dukes. Later more resorts were established, and Rügen was a
famous holiday resort until World War II. In East Germany, Rügen was a major
holiday destination. Rügen has remained a holiday destination since German
reunification. For those who are interested, nude bathing is allowed in certain
areas.
Below are pictures from the Mönchguter Folklore Museum in Göhren, and some
pictures of the coastline. The museum features information on the farmers,
fishermen, seamen and pilots who lived in the area. The tracht (costumes) on
display in the museum are used as models for costumes worn by the Pommerscher
Verein Freistadt. Note the pinkish color of the linen sails used by the
Pommerns.
Click on the picture to enlarge it.
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Mönchguter Museen Göhren (Mönchguter Folklore Museum)
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Museum information
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Our happy group waiting to get in
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More waiting
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Living room scene
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Linen loom
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Linen loom
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Spinning wheel
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Pommern Tracht/Costume (dresses for ladies)
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More dresses worn by ladies
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More ladies dresses
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Ladies work clothes
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Male clothing
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Male work clothes
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Kitchen utensils
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern fishing boat
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Small sailboat
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Pommern sailing vessel
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Variety of anchors
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Ship anchor
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Small fishing boat
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Rügen Island beach area
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Beach tents used by bathers
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White cliffs of Rügen from distance
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Baltic Sea and white cliffs
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Sisters Ruthann Rehberg & Marlene Blaney with Richard our Rügen guide
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Steam engine. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)
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Another picture of steam engine in action. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)
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Amber display in Gohren. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)
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