As of: March 8, 2024 11:13 a.m
The Baltic Sea on one side, the Salzhaff on the other: its location makes the small seaside resort of Rerik, which is about seven kilometers west of Kühlungsborn, a versatile holiday destination.
While the long sandy beach of the Baltic Sea invites you to sunbathe, swim and relax, the shallow waters of the Salzhaff are particularly popular with surfing and sailing beginners as well as pedal boaters and kayakers. The Salzhaff is almost completely separated from the Baltic Sea by the two peninsulas of Wustrow and Boiensdorfer Werder. On average it is only about four meters deep. It was formed about 8,000 years ago when sea levels rose after the last ice age.
The Salzhaff gets its name from its high salt content: it is almost as high as in the Baltic Sea and therefore differs from the brackish water of the Jasmunder Bodden near Rügen, which contains only a little salt due to inflowing fresh water. This makes the Salzhaff a very special biotope with a rich underwater flora and fauna.
Camping in Rerik and on the lagoon
The campsite on the Boiensdorfer Werder peninsula is located in the middle of the Salzhaff.
You won’t find castles or large hotel complexes in Rerik. Instead, there are many holiday apartments, a campsite on the outskirts and one directly on the Baltic Sea towards Kühlungsborn and a few other places south towards the Boiensdorfer Werder peninsula on the Salzhaff. The offer ranges from a simple pitch or tent pitch to a permanent luxury tent with a terrace, air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Fishing pier and boat tours through the Salzhaff
In the center of Rerik a promenade leads along the lagoon. The Haff jetty there offers space for pleasure boats. Right next to it is the fishing pier – a worthwhile destination in the morning when local fishermen dock there and sell freshly caught fish. Some also offer holidaymakers trips to the Salzhaff including fishing followed by a smoked fish dinner. Excursions depart from the Haff pier in the summer months. The approximately two-hour tours lead to the Salzhaff, past the Wustrow peninsula and the island of Poel to the Große Wieck, a bay off Wismar.
Schmiedeberg with a view over the beach
The Schmiedeberg, located directly behind the beach, offers a beautiful view over the town, the Salzhaff and the Baltic Sea. This is the remains of a Slavic castle rampart from the period between 900 and 1200. It gets its name from the village blacksmith, which was located at the foot of the hill until the 1950s. The pier begins nearby, but it is currently closed and is to be replaced by a new building.
A place with a long history
St. John’s Church was built between 1250 and 1280.
In the center of Rerik it is worth visiting the St. John’s Church from the 13th century. Its early Gothic architecture stands in attractive contrast to the colorful Baroque paintings and furnishings of the interior. 98 steps lead up to the tower, which offers a beautiful view. Two of the three bronze bells in the church tower were designed by the well-known artist Günther Uecker, who grew up in Rerik.
A small local museum, housed in a historic school building, provides information about the long history of the place. It dates back to the Neolithic period. From the early settlement from 3,500 BC. There are several large stone graves in the area dating back to the 1st century BC, to which the spa administration regularly offers guided tours in the summer months.
Alt-Gaarz became Rerik during the Nazi era
Rerik only got its current name during the National Socialist era. Previously, the place was called Alt Gaarz (Old Castle) since the Middle Ages. In order to erase the town’s Slavic past from memory, the Nazis renamed Alt Gaarz Rerik in 1938 – after a suspected Viking settlement there that was destroyed by the Danes in 808.
Wustrow peninsula – closed idyll
Rerik is the gateway to the picturesque Wustrow peninsula, which is connected to the seaside resort via the narrow “Wustrow Neck”, but has no longer been open to the public since 2004. Wustrow was a Soviet military base until 1993. After the troops withdrew, a holiday resort was supposed to be built there, but the development plans have been on hold for years. The peninsula remains closed – dilapidated ruins and old ammunition still washing up on the beaches make entering it life-threatening. Viewings are still possible. There are guided hikes, wagon rides and boat excursions. Holidaymakers can take a look at the peninsula, which has now developed into a paradise for animals and plants.
Map: Wustrow – Peninsula between the Baltic Sea and Salzhaff
Further information
For a long time Wustrow was considered a forbidden island. Visitors can now discover the natural idyll on guided tours. more
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the northern story | 03/08/2024 | 8:15 p.m