Rerik, Baltic seaside resort
approx. 2,200 inhabitants
"Sansibar oder der letzte Grund" - the author Alfred Andersch immortalised Rerik in this novel. The view from the dunes across the Baltic Sea, Wustrow peninsula and the salt lagoon, which are described in the book, can still be found today.
In Rerik you can very well lie on the beach the whole day long and relax. However, surfing on the shallow salt lagoon or diving in the Baltic Sea can be fun, too. If you are not at ease on or under the water, just take a stroll along the steep coast or cycle through the countryside. Just outside Rerik you will discover interesting megalithic tombs from the New Stone Age.
Historical facts
Rerik was originally a Slavic foundation and was formally called Alt Gaarz. Numerous megalithic tombs in the
surroundings are evidence of the former settlements in the region. In the year 1230 the site was mentioned in documents
for the first time.
In the Middle Ages, Alt Gaarz was apparently a rich farmers' and fishermen's village comprising several farms. The
natural harbour close to the salt lagoon was protected by the Wustrow peninsula.
During the Nazi era attempts were made to deny the Slavic roots of the town. Therefore its name was changed to Rerik,
when it received the status of a town in 1938. This name was meant to create a link between the town and an early
medieval trade centre by the name of "reric", which had been destroyed by the Danes in the year 808. However,
this hypothesis cannot be proved historically.
Kurverwaltung Ostseebad Rerik
Dünenstr. 7
18230 Ostseebad Rerik
phone: 038296-78294
fax: 038296-78513
e-mail: info@rerik.de
Internet: www.rerik.de