The Benedix House, which is located directly at the market place, was built after the big fire in 1538. Today, it accommodates the tourist information office.	The Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Tower on the Rugard hill (height: 91m )
View to the Marienkirche	The Billroth House
The "Kiebitzmoor"	The "Marktstraße"

Bergen (approx. 15,000 inhabitants) is both the principal town of the district of Ruegen and a traffic junction in the centre of the island. One of the attractions is undoubtedly the Ernst Moritz Arndt Tower, which was built on the Rugard (91m above sea level) in 1886. It is 26.7m high and provides - at good visibility - a wonderful view over the island. It is surrounded by the remains of a fortified wall which temporarily served as a princes' residence.
The city has a long history. The construction of the Marienkirche in Bergen, which is really worth seeing, started already 12 years after the Christianisation of the island's inhabitants. The church was consecrated as a monastery church in 1193 and was also used as a parish church from 1380 onwards. The western exterior wall incorporates a gravestone which assumedly represents a Wendish priest. At the same time, a convent was built in the direct vicinity of the church. It existed until the reformation and - after major constructional changes from 1732 to 1736 - it was converted into a home for female members of the nobility. During the 1990s, comprehensive restoration work started which continues to date. In addition to the city museum, these buildings host a restaurant and several showroom workshops.
Bergen began to replace Garz as administrative centre when Ruegen island and the associated areas on the main land became the property of the Duchy of Pommern-Wolgast after the expiration of the Ruegen dynasty in 1325. However, the site received its town charter only in 1613. It had to pay 800 Talers for it.
 Due to the geographical position of the town, until 1891a murky market pond was located in the town centre near the Marienkirche. It constituted simultaneously a cattle watering tank, a fire extinguishing tank - and a nuisance.When the building now used as a post office was built it finally disappeared. The master mason and senator Freese erected the building exactly where the murky puddle had been.
 The oldest house of the town and one of the oldest houses on the island is the Benedixhaus on Bergen's market place. ThIS house was built as a timber-framed building after one of the big town fires in 1535, and today it accommodates the tourist information office.
One of the most famous sons of the town is Theodor Billroth. He was one of the most important surgeons of the 19th century and was born in Bergen on 26th April 1829. After studying medicine in Greifswald, Goettingen and Berlin, he was appointed as professor for surgery in Zurich at the age of only 31 years.
Eight years later, he moved to Vienna where he conducted the first successful stomach resection on 29th January 1881. Among his friends one can find "celebrities" like Johannes Brahms. Billroth died on 6th November 1894 in Opatija (Istria/Croatia).
The street in Bergen where his birthplace is located is now called Billrothstrasse.
Photo at the right: Blooming canola fields near Bergen. R.R. (text and photos)        Hotel