In Wolgast, a variety of well-known and lesser-known public and private venues will host a wide range of events under the theme "Culture & Romance."
Romanticism and Modernity are the themes of the 202 Wolgast Culture Night6.
From the 12th to the 14th centuries, through the 18th century, and well into the 19th and 20th centuries, Wolgast experienced significant economic and cultural growth. This is reflected in music, literature, and the visual arts, as well as in history, philosophy, and the natural sciences.
The Dukes of Greifen chose Wolgast as the capital of the Duchy of Pomerania-Wolgast, and it became a small hub in medieval Pomerania.
The city experienced an economic upswing and a period of prosperity that led to wealth and affluence. Testaments to this era include historic ensembles and buildings, as well as industrial structures that have been preserved in their original architectural style, though some are now used for different purposes.
On August 8,2026, tourists, vacationers—especially children and families —as well as locals are therefore invited to explore the town with tour guides, starting at the market square ( Rathausplatz) in Wolgast, and to enjoy the atmosphere of this small town.
The Wolgast Culture Night will be opened by the tower brass ensemble of the St. Petri Parish in Wolgast at 5:00 p.m. on the church tower and on Rathausplatz
The tour guides Karin Braun, Jürgen Pluschke, Ingo Zander, Klaus Plötz, and Wolfgang Hempel will share a wealth of interesting facts about the town’s history, architecture, and economic highlights; the origins of the wealth of some Wolgast families in the 19th century; as well as the town’s experiences of war and devastation, its decline and reconstruction, right up to the present day.
The tours begin at 5:15 p.m. on Town Hall Square and departevery 15minutes.
Children and families are especially invited to the first tour. Karin Braun leads a child-friendly tour through the town’s history and shares lots of interesting facts with the young guests.
Those who have difficulty walking can take a carriage ride with Karsten Kruse or a Kremser ride withfor a short city tour: departing every half hour starting at 6:00 p.m., also from Rathausplatz.
Town Hall Square
Rathausplatz, also known as Marktplatz, is a gathering place for all kinds of events. Market days, weddings, concerts, city festivals, and much more take place here regularly. Guests are welcomed by fantasy characters on stilts and medieval minstrels. On stage at 5:15 p.m., the 1st Pomeranian Wind Orchestra Wolgast e.V. invites you to a short concert featuring a selection of works by well-known classical and contemporary composers.
Starting at 8:00 p.m., the Classic Quartet will perform a range of melodies from classical to modern.
Wolgast Kegel
The Wolgast Kegel is a convivial dance that the people of Wolgast used to perform at many social highlights. Guests and locals are invited to join in the dancing and let themselves be swept up in the joy this dance spreads.
Starting at 10:30 p.m., the Wolgast Culture Night will conclude with a fire show featuring the Olbojenis. Fire artists will transport guests into a fascinating world of dancing lights created by fire and LED lights.
Historic Town Hall
In the basement of the historic town hall, there is a small brewery that produces Wolgast Castle Beer. Members of the Wolgast Brewers’ Association will be offering guided tours every half hourstarting at 5:30 p.m.
“Kaffeemühle” City Museum
Spanning four floors, the “Kaffeemühle” City Museum traces Wolgast’s development from a Pomeranian royal seat to a modern shipbuilding center. The history of industry, trade, and crafts is vividly illustrated here through numerous exhibits. The Swedish period, the “Freester Fischerteppiche” (Freest fishermen’s rugs), and the old schoolroom are also featured.
In the new media room of the City History Museum, locals and visitors can explore the sunken Wolgast Castle for themselves.
The exhibition hall features aspecial exhibition by the “” onthe topic“High-Proof Spirits— Alcohol Smuggling Along the Pomeranian Coast.”
“Die HERREN”from Rostock will accompany the exhibition with melodies from the 1920s and 1930s.
Members of the Wolgast Museum Society (Museumsgesellschaft Wolgast e.V.) will be offering light refreshments at the museum.
Rungehaus
Kronwiekstraße 45, Rungehaus – Museum of RomanticismKartist Philipp Otto Runge
Philipp Otto Runge’s birthplace is now a museum and community center offering a wide variety of experiences. Explore the exhibition “… and send my regards from time to time – Caspar David Friedrich’s Friends and Acquaintances.” An exhibition of photographs by Christine Börrnert is on display in the Rungehaus’s coach house. The Rungeklub offers white and red wines as well as hand-buttered farmhouse bread. Christine and Roland Börrnert provide live music.
Children: From 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., children can get creative using various techniques in the spirit of Runge.
Studio in the Runge Garden House, Burgstraße 7
The Runge family’s garden house at Burgstraße 7 was depicted by Philipp Otto Runge in his sketch for the painting “The Sons’ Homecoming.” It is therefore ideally suited to be used for art once again. Artist Clemens Kolkwitz, who uses the garden house as both a home and a studio, invites visitors and locals to stop by. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the host will take you on a journey into the world of printmaking and painting and play romantic pieces for you on his grand piano. Hidden beneath the garden house is an interesting vaulted cellar, which will be open to the public on this day.
St. Petri
St. Petri Church in Wolgast is a Protestantchurch dedicated to the ApostlePeter and serves as the place of worship for the parish of the same name. It was built in the 14th century and was largely destroyed several times as a result of war and severe weather. For this reason, it features both Gothic and Baroque architectural elements. The church’s Greifen Chapel houses the coffins of three dukes and Maria of Saxony, while the crypt contains the coffins of members of the ducal family of Pomerania-Wolgast. Worth seeing is a series of paintings depicting the Dance of Death, created in 1700 by C.S. Köppe. From the tower of St. Peter’s Church, you have a wonderful view of the city and the island.
From 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., children can explore the church and discover many surprises along the way.
Cantor Andre Kraushaar invites you to a short organ concert at 9:00 p.m.
South Chapel: Reading from Dallman’s Runge biography with actorBenjamin Klon
at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Synod Library at St. Petri
A real gem worth seeing is the Synod Library in St. Petri Church. It houses numerous old books that provide information about Wolgast and its church. The members of the St. Petri Friends Association cordially invite you to climb the narrow spiral staircase and view examples of ancient book art.
One World Shop
On Lange Straße, across from the Wolgast bookstore, the One World Shop is located in a restored residential and commercial building, which the members of the El Mundo e.V. association have lovingly furnished. At the One World Shop, you can learn about fair trade, discover products, and discuss development policy issues.
Dieter Wedemeyer and Anne Hausten will accompany you through the evening with the sounds of the clarinet.
Wolgast Bookstore
The small Wolgast Bookstore, lovingly run by Mr. Müller,offers interesting literature about and related to Wolgast .
Reading:“Spooky Places on the Baltic Sea”—Caroline Christiansen reads from her anthology.
At 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m., and so on
Stralsund Ferry
Tours, guided walks, music by the band “Plan B,” and refreshments provided by the Friends Association
