Bismarck oak in Bergen auf Rügen
The Bismarck Oak in Bergen auf Rügen - history in the middle of the town
In the heart of Bergen auf Rügen, on a small square in the middle of Bahnhofstraße, where Calandstraße joins, it stands today as a silent witness to history: the mighty Bismarck Oak. What once grew as a young tree behind a memorial stone in honor of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck has grown over the decades into an impressive tree that now characterizes this town square.
Memorial stone with ornamental fence - historical ensemble in Bergen auf RügenOld photographs show that a memorial stone in honor of Bismarck once stood at this location, surrounded by a forged decorative fence with symbols such as oak leaves and ornamental balls. The young oak tree planted behind this stone has survived the decades and is still a reminder of this historical tradition - a custom that was widespread throughout Germany in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including in other cities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern such as Stralsund and Greifswald.
Bergen on Rügen - town history on the largest German islandBergen is the capital of the island of Rügen and offers numerous other historical traces in addition to the Bismarck Oak. The city is centrally located on Rügen, Germany's largest island, and is an ideal starting point for excursions along the Baltic Sea coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - for example to Putbus, Stralsund or the Baltic seaside resort of Binz.
How to get to the Bismarck Eiche in Bergen auf Rügen
The nearest train station is Bergen auf Rügen, which is only about 400 meters away. By car, you can reach Bergen via the Samtens freeway junction in around 9.5 kilometers. Those arriving by ferry, for example via the ferry port of Stralsund, also have a short onward journey of just under ten kilometers to the city center.