NATUREUM Darßer Ort

About the museum

The NATUREUM is located at Darßer Ort in the north of the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula, in the core zone of the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. Since 1991, the Stiftung Deutsches Meeresmuseum from Stralsund has operated an outpost in the protected ensemble of the old lighthouse station, devoted entirely to the nature of this coastal region.

The complex includes the lighthouse built in 1849, considered the oldest still-active lighthouse on the Baltic coast, the lighthouse keeper's house, the head keeper's house, a former stable building and a kerosene bunker. After 126 steps, you reach a viewing level at a height of 28 meters, with views over the Darß forest and the west beach.

The exhibitions present the Darß habitat with forest, lakes, dunes, beach and shallow water, and show taxidermy specimens of white-tailed eagles, cranes, harbor porpoises and waterfowl in natural-looking scenes. Geological finds from Gotland and from Fischland-Darß-Zingst explain how the coastal landscape came into being and how surf and currents continually change it. In the interactive Baltic Sea laboratory, hands-on stations with magnifying glasses and microscopes invite visitors to explore; outdoors, a beach and dune garden and a tactile relief table on coastal dynamics round out the offering. From its opening until 2004, more than 1.7 million guests visited.

Highlights

• Climb the Darßer Ort lighthouse (126 steps)
• Interactive Baltic Sea laboratory with hands-on stations
• Specimens of white-tailed eagle, crane and harbor porpoise
• Beach and dune garden with a relief table on coastal dynamics
• Car-free journey through the Darß forest

Permanent exhibitions

• Lebensraum Darß – Natural-looking scenes show the forest, lakes, dunes, beach and shallow water of the peninsula, with specimens of white-tailed eagle, crane, harbor porpoise and waterfowl.
• Ostsee-Labor – At interactive stations, you can examine beach finds, view tiny organisms under a magnifying glass and microscope, and touch marine animals.
• Geologie und Küstendynamik – Fossils and rocks from Gotland and from Fischland-Darß-Zingst explain how the coast came into being; an outdoor relief table shows how wind and waves change it.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Stiftung Deutsches Meeresmuseum

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not accessible: reachable only on foot, by bike or by horse-drawn carriage, cobblestone courtyard, all exhibitions reachable only via stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Hands-on and explorer stations in the Baltic Sea laboratory; the children's character "Jaques" accompanies young guests through the museum, with more content at kindermeer.de. Family discount of €1 per child.

Getting there & parking

On foot from Prerow on marked paths through the Darß forest about 1 hour; from the circular hiking trail, the short route is about 1.6 km, the long route over the dunes about 3.6 km. By bike on forest paths from Prerow, Born and Wieck; horse-drawn carriages from Prerow (about 45 minutes).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum café "Café LeuchtOrt" with seating in the courtyard (for museum guests only). Small museum shop at the ticket desk. Free Wi-Fi. Dogs on a leash allowed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit