Pansevitz castle ruins and park

Pansevitz castle ruins and park - history in the middle of Rügen

Pansevitz Park is one of the quiet, impressive places on the island of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Originally built in the 16th century, the estate was rebuilt in the Neo-Renaissance style around 1860 and was long owned by the von Krassow family and later the Princes of Inn- und Knyphausen. After being expropriated in 1945 and decades of decay, the castle was eventually used as a quarry - all that remains of the former building today is a ruin.

Landscape park with miracle lake, love island and rare tree species

The beginnings of the park date back to the 17th century. What was once a baroque garden was transformed into an English-style landscape garden covering around 40 hectares in the 19th century. Special attractions include the Wundersee lake with the romantic Liebesinsel (Love Island) and the Herzteich (Heart Pond) and Nierenteich (Kidney Pond). Many of the exotic tree species planted in the late 19th century still exist today, making the park a dendrological cabinet of rarities. The park has been undergoing restoration since 2006 following its reacquisition by the von Knyphausen family. Also noteworthy is the only cemetery forest within a public park in Germany, which offers an alternative form of burial under old trees.

How to get to Pansevitz Park on Rügen

Pansevitz is located in the interior of the island of Rügen, easily accessible via the B96, which serves as the central axis for the entire island. The nearest major train station is in Bergen auf Rügen, from where Pansevitz can be reached by car in just a few minutes. The island can be easily reached from Stralsund on the mainland via the Rügen Bridge.