Garz is located on the northern shore of the Szczecin Lagoon. The village lies in the eastern Achterland of Usedom, right next to the small lagoon. It is also in Usedom Nature Park, directly on the Polish border. Local highlights range from St. Mary Magdalene’s Church to the memorial site on Golm, as well as a hiking route that starts in Garz, passes through Kamminke and Golm, and returns to Garz. This makes Garz a clear point of reference for a stay combining church architecture, historical remembrance and nature experiences.

St. Mary Magdalene’s Church

The church in Garz is dedicated to Mary Magdalene and dates in part to the 13th century. It has no tower and contains votive ships. Its dedication, medieval fabric and maritime votive motifs offer different points of interest. The date applies expressly only to parts of the church, not automatically to the entire building. The Golm hiking route also starts at the church. You can explore the church as a cultural attraction in its own right or as the starting point for the route to Kamminke and Golm.

Golm: Cemetery and memorial site

At 69 metres, Golm is the highest elevation on Usedom. A military cemetery was established there in 1944; by the end of the Second World War, more than 250 naval personnel and at least 1,000 army and air force personnel had been buried there. The exhibition presents Golm as a war cemetery and memorial to the thousands of victims of the 1945 bombing of Swinemünde. A permanent exhibition has been housed in the information building since 2001. The German war cemetery “Auf dem Golm” is the largest cemetery complex in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The sequence of dates helps distinguish the different historical layers: the cemetery was established in 1944, Swinemünde was bombed in 1945, and the exhibition has been in place since 2001. Check current visitor access to the information building before your visit; institutional arrangements may change.

Golm hike with steep sections

The Golm hike starts at the church in Garz and passes through Kamminke and Golm before returning to Garz. It is therefore a circular route with the same starting and finishing point. Along the way, the trail crosses hilly terrain; at Golm, there is a steep ascent and descent. Take these sections into account when planning your day, and treat the route as a hike in its own right rather than planning only for the destination. The route is marked with signposts and a green dot. You can reach the starting point by car; there is parking in Garz. Check the current trail markings and parking situation before setting out, as both may change.

Lagoon cuisine and planning your stay

Restaurants around the Szczecin Lagoon serve freshly caught fish and traditional home cooking; the culinary offerings vary by establishment. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Garz, use your planned focus as a guide: would you like the history of the church and memorial site to be the main focus, or would you prefer to make the Golm hike your main activity?

Discover more destinations: Korswandt, Usedom, Dargen, Zempin, Zirchow, Ückeritz, Kamminke, Pudagla.

Return to the overview of the wider travel area: Amt Usedom-Süd.