Wolgast is a provincial town in the northeast of Germany in the administrative district of Western Pomerania Greifswald and located next to river Peene. At its offshore is situated the island of Usedom, which gave the town its nick-name „gate to Usedom“.

In the early 90s the old city centre was redeveloped. Today you can see half-timbered houses with colourful facades. Located at the market square, the city hall of Wolgast is a medieval construction reflecting on ten reliefs the town‘s history. Worth visiting is also church St. Petri that dates back to the 14th century. In the inside of the three aisles church you can see medieval forest wall paintings.

The museum of Wolgast, called Rungehaus, is also birthplace of painter Philipp Otto Runges. Here are exhibited references to his life and work.

However, the town offers much more than only history. The Peene Bridge, Germany’s biggest and most beautiful balance beam bascule bridge, connects the town to Usedom. The bridge is closed to traffic every 4 hours for 15 minutes.

At the northern edge of the town lies animal park Wolgast. On an area of approximately ten hectares live 400 animals of 52 species. Next to local animal species here you can see also kangaroos and emus. Children will have fun with animals at the petting zoo.

More information: http://www.stadt-wolgast.de/index.php?id=41

Photo: Jorg Hackemann/Shutterstock