Garz on Ruegen

Garz, formerly a town of smallholding farmers in the south east of Ruegen, is the oldest and with approx. 1800 inhabitants also the smallest town on the island. Garz was raised to city by Duke Wizlaw III in 1316/17. The town charter of Stralsund was issued in Garz in 1234. The remains of the former duke'S residence "Charenza" can still be seen today, as one of the castle wall was preserved.		Ernst Moritz Arndt was the son of an emancipated serf who had managed to become a prosperous farmer. The son Ernst Moritz became famous as a writer, author and politician. His best known songs include: "Der Gott der Eisen wachsen ließ" ("The God who let the iron grow ") and "Was ist des Teutschen Vaterland?" ("What is the German's homeland ?"). Arndt studied history and theology and was later appointed a chair of history at the university of Greifswald (later also in Bonn). He struggled successfully for the abolishment of serfdom in Western Pomerania which was at this point under Swedish rule. During the period of the French occupation, he issued a pamphlet calling on countrymen to revolt against Napoleon. As a result of this publication he had to take refuge in Sweden. Arndt was an enthusiastic fighter for Germany. He was an advocate of a German national state under Prussian leadership. Being a victim of the so-called prosecution of demagogues, he was dismissed from his office in Bonn (but was rehabilitated later on). Arndt was a member of the Frankfurt National Assembly. He died in Bonn in 1860. Illustrations (all R.R.): The town hall in Garz. Arndt: Portrait
After conquering Arkona, the Danes destroyed both a heathen temple located in Garz and the castle in 1168. From 1896 onwards, Garz was connected to the railway system on the island. The railway was, however, removed after 1945. Ernst Moritz Arndt is most likely the most famous son of the town, and the university in Greifswald was named after him. The village Gross Schoritz (housing Arndt's birthplace) belongs now to the city of Garz. Arndt was christened and confirmed in the protestant St. Peter's church (which was first built in the middle of the 14th century).
Der Gott, der Eisen wachsen ließ, Der wollte keine Knechte, Drum gab er Säbel, Schwert und Spieß Dem Mann in seine Rechte, Drum gab er ihm den kühnen Mut, Den Zorn der freien Rede, Daß er bestände bis aufs Blut, Bis in den Tod die Fehde. (Ernst Moritz Arndt) The God who let the iron grow Did not desire serfmen So he gave saber, spear and sword Into the man's right hand. He gave him courage for his might And rage to speak out free So that he could prevail in fight If death should bend his knee. (Ernst Moritz Arndt, transl. Ulrike Nichols)
		Ernst Moritz Arndt's birthplace

The church in Garz		The Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Museum