Binz
Encyclopedia
Binz is the largest seaside resort
on the German
island of Rügen
. It is situated between the Prorer Wiek and the Schmachter See in the south-east of the island. To the north of Binz stretches the Schmale Heide (the "narrow heath"), a tongue of land which joins the Muttland
region of Rügen to the Jasmund
peninsula. The land to the south and east of Binz is hilly, reaching a height of over 100m above sea level.
In Germany, sea bathing
started to become popular in the 1870s, and so began Binz's rise to prominence. In 1870 itself, Binz had 80 visitors; in 1875 the first road connecting the village with the beach (Putbuser Strasse) was constructed; and in 1876 the first hotel was built. Major development began in 1888 with the founding of the "Aktiengesellschaft Ostseebad Binz". In 1895, the first stretch of narrow-gauge railway opened between Binz and Putbus
.
In 1902 a 600m long pier
was built, but it was destroyed by a storm on New Year's Night 1905. It was rebuilt in 1908, but in 1912 one span of the pier collapsed, causing the death of 17 people. This accident prompted the founding of the German Lifeguard Association (or DLRG
).
In 1937 the construction of the KdF ("Strength Through Joy") resort at Prora
began. It was planned to be Europe's largest seaside resort. The standard gauge
railway station at Binz was constructed in 1938, and the line from Binz to the junction at Lietzow
was opened in 1939. During the winter of 1942 the pier was again destroyed, this time by ice.
In 1950, the construction of the Prora complex was completed, and the buildings were used as barracks for the Volkspolizei
(People's Police). Later, they were used to house the Nationale Volksarmee (National People's Army). The railway line between Binz and Lietzow was re-opened in 1952.
In 1953, the government of the German Democratic Republic
(DDR), in which Binz was then situated, initiated "Aktion Rose". This was the name of the programme under which privately-owned hotels, and guest houses were taken into social ownership. These businesses were transferred to the FDGB (the federal body of the East German trade union
s), and included in their program of cheap holidays for union members.
After 1972, more holiday centers were built for the FDGB. Between the 1950s and 1985 estates of flats typical of the DDR ("Plattenbau
")were built both to the north and west of the town.
The Years Since 1990:
Following the reunification of Germany, Binz has undergone substantial change. Many of the villas were returned to their previous owners, and the town was restored and modernised. The former FDGB holiday centres were privatised and renovated. In 1994, a new pier, 370 metres long, was opened.
complex just north of the city.
railway line from Stralsund
via Bergen auf Rügen
. Binz is also linked to the nearby towns of Putbus, Sellin
, Baabe
and Göhren
by the narrow gauge steam railway the Rügensche Bäderbahn, known locally as Rasender Roland.
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
on the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
island of Rügen
Rügen
Rügen is Germany's largest island. Located in the Baltic Sea, it is part of the Vorpommern-Rügen district of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.- Geography :Rügen is located off the north-eastern coast of Germany in the Baltic Sea...
. It is situated between the Prorer Wiek and the Schmachter See in the south-east of the island. To the north of Binz stretches the Schmale Heide (the "narrow heath"), a tongue of land which joins the Muttland
Muttland
Muttland comprises the main section of the German island of Rügen, excluding the Rugian peninsulae and small surrounding islands.The predominant land use is agriculture. Grasslands are found in very small proportions. There are nature conservation areas in the south, which are reported as a resting...
region of Rügen to the Jasmund
Jasmund
Jasmund is a peninsula of the island of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is connected to the Wittow peninsula and to the Muttland main section of Rügen by the narrow land bridges Schaabe and Schmale Heide, respectively. Sassnitz, Sagard and the Mukran international ferry terminal are on...
peninsula. The land to the south and east of Binz is hilly, reaching a height of over 100m above sea level.
History
The first mention of Binz (then called Byntze) is as far back as 1318. At that time, the settlement was centred around the current location of the Bahnhofstrasse and Rabenstrasse.In Germany, sea bathing
Sea bathing
Sea bathing is swimming in the sea or in sea water and a sea bath is a protective enclosure for sea bathing. Unlike bathing in a swimming pool, which is generally done for pleasure or exercise purposes, sea bathing was once thought to have curative or therapeutic value. It arose from the medieval...
started to become popular in the 1870s, and so began Binz's rise to prominence. In 1870 itself, Binz had 80 visitors; in 1875 the first road connecting the village with the beach (Putbuser Strasse) was constructed; and in 1876 the first hotel was built. Major development began in 1888 with the founding of the "Aktiengesellschaft Ostseebad Binz". In 1895, the first stretch of narrow-gauge railway opened between Binz and Putbus
Putbus
Putbus is a small town on the southeastern part of the island of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Germany. The town has 4,741 inhabitants and is a significant tourist destination with numerous seaside resorts....
.
In 1902 a 600m long pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
was built, but it was destroyed by a storm on New Year's Night 1905. It was rebuilt in 1908, but in 1912 one span of the pier collapsed, causing the death of 17 people. This accident prompted the founding of the German Lifeguard Association (or DLRG
DLRG
The Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft e.V. is a relief organization for life saving in Germany. The DLRG is a non-profit, independent organization based on volunteers.-Tasks:...
).
In 1937 the construction of the KdF ("Strength Through Joy") resort at Prora
Prora
Prora is a beach resort on the island of Rügen, Germany, known especially for its colossal Nazi-planned touristic structures. The massive building complex was built between 1936 and 1939 as a Kraft durch Freude project. The eight buildings are identical, and while they were planned as a holiday...
began. It was planned to be Europe's largest seaside resort. The standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railway station at Binz was constructed in 1938, and the line from Binz to the junction at Lietzow
Lietzow
Lietzow is a municipality in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-External links:*...
was opened in 1939. During the winter of 1942 the pier was again destroyed, this time by ice.
In 1950, the construction of the Prora complex was completed, and the buildings were used as barracks for the Volkspolizei
Volkspolizei
The Volkspolizei , or VP, were the national police of the German Democratic Republic . The Volkspolizei were responsible for most law enforcement in East Germany, but its organisation and structure were such that it could be considered a paramilitary force as well...
(People's Police). Later, they were used to house the Nationale Volksarmee (National People's Army). The railway line between Binz and Lietzow was re-opened in 1952.
In 1953, the government of the German Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
(DDR), in which Binz was then situated, initiated "Aktion Rose". This was the name of the programme under which privately-owned hotels, and guest houses were taken into social ownership. These businesses were transferred to the FDGB (the federal body of the East German trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s), and included in their program of cheap holidays for union members.
After 1972, more holiday centers were built for the FDGB. Between the 1950s and 1985 estates of flats typical of the DDR ("Plattenbau
Plattenbau
Plattenbau is the German word for a building whose structure is constructed of large, prefabricated concrete slabs. The word is a compound of Platte and Bau...
")were built both to the north and west of the town.
The Years Since 1990:
Following the reunification of Germany, Binz has undergone substantial change. Many of the villas were returned to their previous owners, and the town was restored and modernised. The former FDGB holiday centres were privatised and renovated. In 1994, a new pier, 370 metres long, was opened.
Points of interest
Apart from the numerous early 20th-century hotels and villas in the city center and along the seaside promenade, its main attractions are the 370m Pier, the mid-19th-century Jagdschloss Granitz and the enormous ProraProra
Prora is a beach resort on the island of Rügen, Germany, known especially for its colossal Nazi-planned touristic structures. The massive building complex was built between 1936 and 1939 as a Kraft durch Freude project. The eight buildings are identical, and while they were planned as a holiday...
complex just north of the city.
Economy and infrastructure
Binz stands at the end of the standard gauge Deutsche BahnDeutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn AG is the German national railway company, a private joint stock company . Headquartered in Berlin, it came into existence in 1994 as the successor to the former state railways of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany and the Deutsche Reichsbahn of East Germany...
railway line from Stralsund
Stralsund
- Main sights :* The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.* The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square , with the Gothic Town Hall . Behind the town hall stands the imposing Nikolaikirche , built in 1270-1360...
via Bergen auf Rügen
Bergen auf Rügen
Bergen auf Rügen is the capital of the former district of Rügen in the middle of the island of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Since 1 January 2005, Bergen has moreover been the administrative seat of the Amt of Bergen auf Rügen, which with a population of over 23,000 is...
. Binz is also linked to the nearby towns of Putbus, Sellin
Sellin
Sellin is a municipality on the Isle of Rügen, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-External links:*...
, Baabe
Baabe
Baabe is a municipality in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-External links:*...
and Göhren
Göhren
Göhren may refer to the following places in Germany:*Göhren , a village in the municipality Tramm in the district Ludwigslust-Parchim, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern*Göhren, Rügen, a municipality in the district Vorpommern-Rügen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern...
by the narrow gauge steam railway the Rügensche Bäderbahn, known locally as Rasender Roland.