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Rugen is an island in the Baltic Sea, off the coats of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany’s largest island. Rugen Island, Germany is marked by gleaming chalk cliffs, vast stretches of sandy beaches, and tranquil expanses of beech woods and the magnificence of Cape Arkona. The megalithic graves are witnesses that Rugen had already been inhabited above a millennia back, attracting traders and seafarers. Germanic and Slavic earthworks underlie a turbulent history until Bishop Absalon of Denmark destroyed the pagan deity Ranen in 1168 to christen Rugen. In the 19th century, Rugen was the place people arrived at Rugen Island seeking rest cures. The residential town of Putbus was built in Italian design by Lord Malte, before the spas of Binz, Sellin, Baabe and Goehren acquired repute. The traditional Baltic resorts of Rugen Island, Germany have attractive sea bridges. There are cycles and footpaths all over Rugen. You can strike across the water along the sea bridges, or resorts on the Isle of Usedom which, in summer, can be reached quicker by boat than by car. Boat trips are made to Denmark, Sweden and Poland. Rugen Island, Germany offers interesting activities such as a trip to the “Rasender Roland” narrow gauge railway from Putbus through Binz, Sellin to Goehren and a visit to the capital of Rugen Island – Bergen. Prior to WWII, the Nazis connected Rugen Island to the mainland and added a large resort, Prora, with the aim of occupying the leisure hours of people. In East Germany, Rugen Island was a major summer escapade and following the reunion, it has outshone Sylt as the most popular island in Germany. Anyone who has seen the frozen waters of the bay in winter or the sallow carpet of wood anemones in the Granitz woods or those who take a cycling tour through the autumn colors of Rugen are bound to fall in love with this island.
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