Barth lies on the southern shore of the Barther Bodden, within the chain of lagoons separated from the Baltic Sea by the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. This distinction is important when getting your bearings: Barth is on the Bodden, not on the open Baltic Sea. Several themes connect visitors with the town’s history and culture, from St. Mary’s Church and the medieval fortifications to the Bible, Vineta and seafaring. You can choose what will shape your stay in Barth: historic buildings, exhibitions or a trip from the town harbour.

Church, Architectural History and Town Fortifications

Construction of St. Mary’s Church in Barth began around 1300. Its oldest part is the choir at the eastern end, built in the Early Gothic style. If you are interested in architecture, this provides a specific starting point for exploring the church’s architectural history: the eastern choir is one of its earliest parts, while construction of the church as a whole began around 1300. The organ is another special feature. It was made by Berlin organ builder Buchholz and is considered particularly valuable for its unique sound.

If you are interested in organ music, June to September is a useful seasonal guide; check current concert dates before your trip. The church tower has separate visiting conditions: it can be visited up to 30 minutes before the church closes, provided the reading café is open. If you plan to climb the tower, check the current opening hours and access arrangements in advance.

The Adlige Fräuleinstift in the heart of Barth represents a different architectural period. This two-winged Baroque complex was built between 1733 and 1741. Together with St. Mary’s Church, it illustrates the town’s different building periods and architectural styles, although the two buildings do not belong to the same period.

Named remains of the medieval fortifications can still be seen in the townscape. The Dammtor, together with the Fangelturm, is one of the only surviving remains of the complex. The Fangelturm dates from the 16th century. The two buildings therefore belong together when exploring Barth’s fortification history; the tower’s date and their shared significance as surviving remains are separate aspects.

Vineta, the Bible and Regional History

The Vineta Museum in Barth presents its exhibitions across four floors. It explores the history of Barth and figures from the arts, literature and science. Its permanent exhibitions include the Barther Bible, the town’s history and the legend of Vineta, which gave the museum its name. The museum thus offers several ways to explore its collections: you can focus on the Bible, the town’s development or the legend, while broadening your understanding of Barth’s history.

A practical activity related to the history of books is available at the St. Jürgen Low German Bible Centre: by prior arrangement, visitors can print using a replica Gutenberg printing press. So arrange your visit in advance if you would like printing to be part of your itinerary.

Boating and Excursions from the Town Harbour

The Barth town harbour is the departure point for passenger boats to Zingst and Hiddensee. If you plan to make a boat trip a fixed part of your itinerary, check departure times in advance. The Windjammer Museum explores another maritime theme: on request, it organises guided tours and talks on regional maritime history and the era of the last large sailing ships. As these activities are available on request, arrange your preferred tour or talk before your trip.

The different interests you might pursue during a stay in Barth are easy to distinguish: architectural history and church architecture, exhibitions on the town’s history and Vineta, or maritime topics at the harbour and the Windjammer Museum. Visiting arrangements vary between attractions, from arranging a visit to the Bible Centre in advance and booking tours on request to the opening conditions for the church tower. Plan around the topics that interest you and check current visiting arrangements for activities that require advance planning.

Discover more destinations: Pruchten, Saal, Bartelshagen Ii Bei Barth, Divitz-Spoldershagen, Karnin, Kenz-Küstrow, Lüdershagen, Fuhlendorf.

See the overview of destinations in the wider area: Amt Barth.