Ruschvitz Pebble Beach

Ruschvitz Stone Beach – Pebbles, Fossils, and Ice Age Boulders on Rügen

The Ruschvitz stone beach in the northwest of the Jasmund Peninsula is one of the most unspoiled stretches of coastline on Rügen and in the entire Baltic Sea region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. An impressive field of boulders stretches along low, steep banks, attracting both walkers and nature enthusiasts alike. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll find shells, fossilized sea urchins, or so-called “thunderbolts”—remnants from times long past in geological history.

Svantekas – The Sacred Stone of Ruschvitz

One of the special sights along this rocky beach section is the boulder “Svantekas,” one of the largest boulders on the island of Rügen. With a volume of about 18 cubic meters, it is an impressive testament to the Ice Age. Its name comes from Old Slavic and roughly translates to “Holy Stone.” These massive boulders are a popular subject for painters and photographers.

Caspar David Friedrich on the rocky beach of Ruschvitz

As early as 1806, the beach at Ruschvitz attracted a notable visitor: Caspar David Friedrich, one of the most important painters of German Romanticism, found himself surrounded by thousands of stones on the shore during a trip to Rügen. This connection between art and nature makes the place a destination with special cultural depth.