- Following in the footsteps of Frederick, traversing the limestone formations of Rügen
The Königstuhl National Park Center on Rügen is joining in the celebration of Caspar-David-Friedrich-Year. Located near the cliffs that inspired the Romantic artist to create one of his most renowned paintings two centuries ago, the center invites visitors to immerse themselves in a romantic atmosphere during their Romantic Days. Starting from Monday, guests can spend their afternoons from 11:00 to 16:00 in a historical time-warp, dressed in period attire, and have their photo taken in front of a replica of the "Chalk Cliffs on Rügen." The original masterpiece can currently be seen for the first time in Greifswald, the birthplace of Friedrich.
Exploring the footpaths of Friedrich
Since April 2023, the National Park Center has been attracting crowds to its Skywalk at Königstuhl. During the Friedrich week, the center offers readings, music, film screenings, puppet theater, painting classes, and a daily one-hour guided hike "Walking in the Footsteps of Caspar David Friedrich" in the Stubbenkammer. This area, located at the northeastern tip of Rügen and featuring chalk cliffs and beech forests, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The goal of the hike is the "Viktoria-Sicht" viewpoint, which offers an unparalleled view of the cliffs from land.
Chalk cliffs constantly evolving
Unfortunately, the Wissower Klinken – a peculiar chalk formation that once symbolized the island – crumbled into the Baltic Sea in 2005. Despite their striking resemblance to Friedrich's painting, experts believe they did not serve as his source of inspiration. The Klinken emerged only after the painter's death in 1840. Due to the influence of water and frost, the chalk cliffs on Rügen are constantly shifting. Visitors are strongly advised to stay on marked trails to avoid any accidents.
Chalk coast, a popular tourist destination
During the summer season, the approximately 13-kilometer-long chalk coast between Sassnitz and Lohme attracts many visitors, with over 1.5 million tourists each year. Boat tours allow visitors to observe the charm of the white cliffs from the sea. The visitor center at Königstuhl displays a special exhibition entitled "Rügen's chalk coast – a significant inspiration site for Romanticism." According to its initiators, the exhibition showcases not only Friedrich but also other Romantic painters who drew inspiration from this location for their works. The Pomeranian State Museum has been presenting outstanding works by Caspar David Friedrich and his contemporaries in a special exhibition since Sunday.
The first person to be celebrated during Caspar-David-Friedrich-Year at the Königstuhl National Park Center is David Friedrich. Visitors can join a guided hike "Walking in the Footsteps of Caspar David Friedrich" during Friedrich Week, exploring the area that served as inspiration for the Romantic artist's famous paintings.
