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Rügen - History

Rügen - History: Encyclopedia II - Rügen - History

Rügen was first populated about 4000 BC. The migrants were probably members of the Funnelbeaker culture, which exploited the island's flint deposits. It was later settled by migrants from Scandinavia, a Germanic tribe called Rugians who gave their name to the island. In the 7th century Slavic peoples came and settled there. They were called the Rojane. Many traces of their life can be found today. Rügen became a Slavic principality with the political and religious centre in the fortified temple of Świętowit at Cape Arkona, ...

Rügen: Encyclopedia II - Rügen - History

Rügen - History

Rügen was first populated about 4000 BC. The migrants were probably members of the Funnelbeaker culture, which exploited the island's flint deposits.

It was later settled by migrants from Scandinavia, a Germanic tribe called Rugians who gave their name to the island. In the 7th century Slavic peoples came and settled there. They were called the Rojane. Many traces of their life can be found today. Rügen became a Slavic principality with the political and religious centre in the fortified temple of Świętowit at Cape Arkona, the northernmost point of Rügen. In 1168 the area was decimated by Danish invaders. The then weakened principality underwent Christianisation. A monarchy was established in Rügen under Danish influence.

1162-1170 Tezlaw
1170-1217 Jaromar I
1218-1249 Wislaw I
1249-1260 Jaromar II
1260-1302 Wislaw II
1303-1325 Wislaw III

1325 In 1325, Rügen was conquered by the Dukes of Pomerania, who established their own principality.

1325-1326 Warcislaw IV
1326-1368 Boguslaw V, Warcislaw V, Barnim IV
1368-1372 Warcislaw VI, Boguslaw VI
1372-1394 Warcislaw VI
1394-1415 Warcislaw VIII
1415-1432 Swietobor II
1432-1451 Barnim VIII
1451-1457 Warcislaw IX
1457-1478 Warcislaw X

Rügen was a part of Swedish Pomerania from 1648 to 1815; afterwards it became a part of Prussia. In 1816 the first bathing resort was founded (Putbus). Later more resorts were established, and Rügen remained the most famous holiday resort of Germany until World War II.

In 1936 the bridge connecting Rügen with the mainland was constructed. The Nazis added a resort: Prora, planned by the Kraft durch Freude ("Strength through joy") organisation, which aimed to occupy people's free time. However, Prora was never completed.

Rügen regained its status as a holiday island after the German reunification; now it has surpassed Sylt as the most popular German island again.