Discover Altenkirchen

Discover Altenkirchen through the cultural sites in its settlement centre and the coastal area of the municipality. These are distinct aspects to consider when planning your trip: the Kosegarten exhibition and parish church are in the town; the beaches and kitesurfing school mentioned here are located within the municipality.

Kosegarten and the Parish Church

Since 2014, the multimedia Kosegarten exhibition at Kosegarten House and in the churchyard has provided information about the poet and pastor Gotthard Ludwig Theobul Kosegarten (1758–1818). His grave is at the southwest corner of Altenkirchen Parish Church. Kosegarten served as pastor there from 1792 to 1808; around 1800, as a poet, he helped make the beauty of the island of Rügen known beyond Germany’s borders. Together, the exhibition, biographical dates and grave provide a tangible connection to Kosegarten’s time in Altenkirchen. The cultural landscape of Vorpommern-Rügen includes an estimated 60 or so museums in the district; Vorpommern-Rügen is also known, among other things, for the Störtebeker Festival.

The furnishings of the parish church also offer points of interest for anyone interested in cultural history. The altar and lectern angel come from the workshop of Elias Keßler. The church is also home to the so-called Svantevit stone. There is also a neo-Baroque organ by the Böhm company, dating from 1971. The workshop attribution, the organ type and its specified year of construction, and the stone are distinct details to notice when viewing the church interior.

Beaches and Kitesurfing in the Municipality

The coastal information refers to the municipality of Altenkirchen. Its coastline includes the North Beach behind Schwarbe on the Baltic Sea and the beach in Drewoldke on the Tromper Wiek. The stretches of beach around Altenkirchen slope gently; the municipality’s beaches mentioned here are unspoilt. The slope and character are distinct features you can take into account when choosing a landscape that suits you.

There is a kitesurfing school at the campsite in Drewoldke that helps beginners get started. Drewoldke should be distinguished from Altenkirchen’s settlement centre: the kitesurfing school is located there, not in the town centre. Its services may vary by season. If the kitesurfing school is important to your travel plans, check in advance whether it is available for your dates.

Guest Card and VVR Services

Guests can use VVR services free of charge on the Wittow and Jasmund peninsulas with a guest card issued by their accommodation provider via the AVS system. An issued guest card is required. As the guest-card arrangements may change, check before your trip whether you meet the condition for your stay. This helps you factor this municipality-specific benefit into your travel plans without assuming that all guests can use the services unconditionally.

Discover more destinations: Lohme, Breege, Putgarten, Sagard, Wiek on Rügen, Dranske, Glowe

Return to the overview of the region: Amt Nord-Rügen.