Wolgast, Hanseatic port city in Vorpommern-Greifswald, Germany
Wolgast is a Hanseatic port in Vorpommern-Greifswald District, sitting on the shore of Peenestrom and linked to Usedom Island by a movable bridge. The town spreads along both sides of the waterway and serves as a gateway to the island, where ferries and boats regularly dock.
In the 12th century a Wendish fortress stood here, which later grew into a settlement. From 1285 to 1637 the town served as residence for Pomeranian dukes, who held court and expanded the place.
Near the harbor, brick warehouses recall times when merchants unloaded cargo and ships prepared for long voyages. The old town streets show gabled houses with stepped fronts, a pattern common in northern German trading towns.
The bascule bridge opens several times a day for ships, causing short waiting periods. From the harbor you can walk along the water and watch boats and sailors passing by.
The name comes from Wendish words meaning forest of griffins, a hint at the Slavic roots of the area. This linguistic trace links the place to the mythical heraldry of Pomerania, where the griffin appears as coat of arms.
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