"Woorker Berge" Burial Mounds

The “Woorker Berge” Burial Mounds in Patzig – Testaments to the Bronze Age on Rügen

Between the towns of Patzig and Woorke on the island of Rügen lies one of the most impressive burial necropolises in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: the “Woorker Berge” burial mounds. The site comprises a total of 13 burial mounds, some of which still rise up to six meters high today. The necropolis most likely dates back to the Early Bronze Age.

Tree-coffin burials beneath the mound—a Bronze Age burial tradition

In the Rügen region during the Early Bronze Age, it was common to bury the deceased in so-called tree coffins. To do this, oak trunks were split lengthwise and hollowed out to accommodate the body and grave goods. The finished coffin was placed on a bed of stones and then completely covered with earth. The grave was often supplemented by a stone wreath and a bed of rolling stones that covered the entire burial mound. Today, little of these details remains visible—yet the imposing overall impression of the well-preserved site remains remarkable.

Experience Rügen’s Archaeological Heritage

The “Woorker Berge” are a quiet yet impressive testament to prehistory on the German Baltic Sea coast. Those interested in the region’s archaeology will find numerous other traces of past cultures on Rügen. The burial mounds near Patzig can easily be incorporated into a trip across the island and appeal to history buffs as well as nature lovers.