Altwigshagen tells its local history through a range of traces: a fortified castle is mentioned in records for 1326, the local heritage room looks back at the history of the estate village, and an event in Demnitz recalls Otto Lilienthal’s flight experiments. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish the local history from the other attractions in the wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Greifswald.

Castle, Palace, and Local Heritage Room

A fortified castle with towers, ramparts, and moats is mentioned in records for 1326 in Altwigshagen. The palace in Altwigshagen was rebuilt in 1866; nothing of its original construction can be seen today. This gives visitors two distinct historical points of reference: the dated mention of the castle and the history of the newly built palace.

With numerous exhibits from agriculture and private households, the Altwigshagen local heritage room provides an overview of the estate village’s past. It was founded in 1996 by Ms. Kunstmann. Numerous objects donated by local residents were gathered in two rooms of the former Altwigshagen school. Together, the exhibits connect farming and domestic life with the history of the village.

Among the objects on display is a coat-of-arms stone from the gatehouse, completed in 1607 under Christoff von Lindstedt. This individually dated object adds a specific reference to the history of the building to the broader look at agriculture and private households.

If you are considering visiting the local heritage room, you can contact Mayor Ms. Foy at 0170 4606270. Check the contact details before your trip.

An Episode from the Municipality

Another trace of history leads to Demnitz: in 1890, Otto Lilienthal conducted experiments with a flying machine on his uncle’s estate there. Demnitz is part of the municipality of Altwigshagen, so the flight experiments are part of the municipality’s history and should not be attributed to the settlement of Altwigshagen itself. Alongside the themes of the castle, palace, and estate village, they add a technical and biographical perspective to regional history.

More to Explore in Vorpommern-Greifswald

The wider travel destination of Vorpommern-Greifswald also offers nature activities. The three nature parks cover almost 40 percent of the district’s area; this official area figure may be adjusted administratively. The Ueckermünde Heath offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horse riding. This gives it a different focus from Altwigshagen’s local history, and it can be included as a regional nature attraction when planning a broader trip.

The district’s cultural attractions also offer a variety of experiences. The Pomeranian State Museum in Greifswald displays the Croy Tapestry from 1554, a unique cultural and historical testament to the Reformation era. In Peenemünde, the Juliett U-461 is a museum ship in the harbor that visitors can explore on a tour. Visitors can also book guided tours through the heritage landscape via the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum. If you plan to take such a tour, check the latest visitor information and booking options in advance. This lets you choose between a single art-historical exhibit in Greifswald and technical and commemorative heritage themes in Peenemünde.

Another option in the wider travel destination is Ueckermünde Zoo, home to more than 1,120 native and exotic animals representing 95 species; feeding demonstrations take place daily. Animal numbers and feeding times may change, so it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting. These destinations offer different additions to Altwigshagen’s history; include them as separate regional interests in your plans.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Wilhelmsburg, Torgelow, Rothemühl, Heinrichsruh, Hammer An Der Uecker, Ferdinandshof and Heinrichswalde.

Go to the wider travel overview: Amt Torgelow-Ferdinandshof.