Blaue Scheune, Historical smokehouse and art gallery in Vitte, Hiddensee, Germany

The Blaue Scheune in Vitte is a Low German hall house, originally a fisherman's cottage that later served as the barn, bakery and living quarters of a master miller and baker. Its exterior walls are painted blue, the colour that gave the building its name. Today it houses an art gallery open in the summer months.

The building originated in the early 1800s as the residence of a master miller and baker, with rooms designed for baking and storage. Over the 20th century it gradually transitioned into a cultural space dedicated to showcasing art and supporting the island's creative community.

The space has long served as a gathering place for artists seeking to share their work with the island community and find inspiration in the coastal surroundings. Generations of creative people have used these rooms as a venue for expression and connection.

The gallery opens during summer months with rotating displays of local and historical artwork available for viewing. It is helpful to check opening hours in advance as schedules can vary depending on the season and current exhibitions.

The Blaue Scheune is the last surviving Rauchhaus (smokehouse) on Hiddensee: it had no chimney, so smoke from the hearth escaped through cracks and gaps in the roof. The building began as a Low German hall house and served as a fisherman's cottage before becoming the barn of a master miller and baker.