Traditions

Mo 1.1.

Anbaden

1st Januar
14:00 hrs
Seebrücke(Pier)
18375 Ostseebad Prerow

Prerow’s history has produced some wonderful, although admittedly sometimes quirky traditions. Traditions range from old Nordic customs such as the Lucia festival before Christmas to swimmers in fancy dress taking a dip into the ice-cold Baltic to mark the New Year.

Traditions often convey a sense of feeling grounded in a past that goes further back than our own memories. There can be a real pleasure in doing something that’s been done since olden times at regular intervals. That’s why countless daughters, fathers and grandfathers take part in the traditional Prerow barrel smashing event “Tonnenabschlagen”. In this north German variant of a knightly tournament, contestants take turns riding past an old herring barrel and trying to smash it to pieces. The winner is “king” of Prerow for the day.

Once a year, the oldest structure on the Darß is celebrated with its own festival: the Seemannskirche. Smoked fish, punch, and plenty of live music provide the perfect accompaniments to a celebration for the entire town. As the day ends, a large bonfire is lit and things can even become a bit romantic. At Christmas, the church hosts a variety of Christian traditions, such as the Luciafest, brought to the peninsula by its erstwhile Swedish rulers.

The north beach in town continues to be used as a nudist beach, a custom dating back to the post-war years under the Communist regime. It remains one of the largest nudist beaches in Germany.

The youngest and craziest Prerow tradition, though, has to be “Anbaden” (swimming in the New Year). On the first day of each year, foolhardy locals and travellers take a dip in the icy waters of the Baltic Sea. Their weird costumes and shivering faces as they come out of the water provide plenty of fun for those on shore. The dates for traditional celebrations can be found in our calendar.

Tonnenabschlagen

Teams compete to smash a keg hanging above them whilst riding on horseback. An old Prerow tradition. © Hämer & Malt

Seemannskirche

The brave sailors believed that they were under divine protection on the high seas and gave their thanks at this old seamen’s church. © Hanna Treuger

Sun 13.8.

Seemannskirchen-
fest (Church Festival)

13th August
11:00 hrs
Seemannskirche
18375 Ostseebad Prerow

We look forward
to your visit!

Kur- und Tourismusbetrieb
Ostseebad Prerow
Gemeindeplatz 1
18375 Ostseebad Prerow

T +49 (382 33) 610 0
F +49 (382 33) 610 20
M info(at)ostseebad-prerow.de

Header picture: © Hämer & Malt