Heritage Sites

Explore the layered history of the cross-border island of Usedom through its diverse architectural and military landmarks. This selection spans from Neolithic megalithic tombs and the medieval brick Gothic gates of Usedom town to the 19th-century Prussian coastal fortifications in Świnoujście. The list highlights significant industrial ruins like the Karnin Lift Bridge, the island's oldest documented church in Liepe, and the V-2 rocket testing sites at Peenemünde, offering a comprehensive look at the region’s strategic and cultural evolution.

Test Stand VII

Test Stand VII was the principal V-2 rocket testing facility at Peenemünde Airfield and was capable of static firing of rocket motors up…

Anklamer Tor

A 15th-century brick Gothic city gate that served as the primary entrance to the town of Usedom. It is the only surviving part of the town's medieval defensive fortifications and currently houses a local history museum.

St. Johannes Kirche

The oldest documented church on the island, first mentioned in 1216. This Lutheran parish church in Liepe features a 15th-century granite font and a detached wooden bell tower dating from the 18th century.

Großsteingrab Lütow 1

A Neolithic megalithic tomb belonging to the Funnelbeaker culture. Situated on the Gnitz peninsula, this passage grave consists of large granite boulders and represents one of the region's earliest archaeological landmarks.

Karnin Lift Bridge

The Karnin Lift Bridge is a railway bridge over the Peenestrom estuary in North Germany that was opened in 1933 and destroyed in 1945.

Fort Gerharda

One of the best-preserved 19th-century Prussian coastal forts in Europe. Built between 1848 and 1859 to protect the Świnoujście harbor, it now serves as a museum with interactive historical reenactments.

Kościół Chrystusa Króla

An 18th-century church built on the foundations of a medieval predecessor. The interior features a notable 19th-century organ and a large wooden ship model suspended from the ceiling, reflecting the town's maritime heritage.

Fort Zachodni

A mid-19th-century coastal battery and fort designed to defend the Swine river mouth. It was expanded with concrete bunkers during the world wars and currently houses a museum of military history.

Fort Anioła

A three-story defensive tower built between 1845 and 1858. Its circular architecture was modeled after the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, serving as a lookout and artillery post for the Prussian fortress system.

Holländermühle Benz

A classic Dutch-style windmill dating to 1848. It remains a prominent landmark in the village of Benz and was a frequent subject in the sketches and paintings of German-American artist Lyonel Feininger.