View source for Prerow

{{Infobox German location
|image_coa             = kein
|coordinates        = {{coord|54|26|49|N|12|34|04|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|image_plan           =Prerow_in_VR.svg
|image_photo = Prerow Luftbild.jpg
|image_caption = Aerial view of Prerow, peninsula of [[Darß]]
|state         = Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
|district          = Vorpommern-Rügen
|Amt                = Darß/Fischland
|elevation               = 3
|area             = 11.17
|postal_code                = 18375
|area_code            = 038233
|licence                = NVP
|Gemeindeschlüssel  = 13 0 73 067
|website            = [http://www.ostseebad-prerow.de/ www.ostseebad-prerow.de]
|mayor      = Renè Roloff
|party             = 
}}

'''Prerow''' is a [[Municipalities of Germany|municipality]] in the district of [[Vorpommern-Rügen]] in the German state of [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]]. This Baltic [[seaside resort]] on the [[Darß]] peninsula is located about halfway between the historic [[Hanseatic town]]s of [[Rostock]] and [[Stralsund]]. It is one of three main settlements on the [[Darß]], the others being the villages of [[Born, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|Born]] and [[Wieck auf dem Darß|Wieck]]. Prerow has fine, sandy beaches and a picturesque landscape. It is hard to say where the forest ends and the village begins. The primeval [[Darß Forest]] has over 50&nbsp;km of footpaths and cycle ways, a bridleway and tracks for horse-drawn carriages. West of the forest is West Beach with rugged terrain formed by wind and waves. South of Prerow is the ''[[bodden]]'' countryside. Visitors can take trips on a steam paddle boat and experience wildlife first-hand, nesting areas and various birds as the seasons change.

The seaside resort of Prerow is located within the [[Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park]] which stretches from Ahrenshoop along the southern coast to the island of [[Hiddensee]].

Prerow itself was a fishing village, but has now been a seaside resort for over 130 years. Thanks to its varied climatic environment with the sea, meadows, forest and reeds, combined with good water quality, it was always recognised as a health spa. In 1998, the Minister of Social and Economic Affairs officially recognized the village as a seaside and health resort.

== Sights ==
The village of Prerow, with over 1,600 inhabitants, has become the largest village on the [[Darß]]. Its typical thatched roof cottages are well-preserved and have long given the village a serene charm. Prerow boasts the oldest lighthouse in Germany; it celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2008. 
The other famous landmark, the "Seafarers' Church", is over 280 years old. It is the oldest building on the [[Darß]] peninsula, and was built in 1726/28. It is also the oldest Lutheran church in the region. It hosts Evangelical-Lutheran and Roman Catholic services as well as art exhibitions, guided tours, classical concerts and other special events.

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183 - 1990-0802-408, Prerow, Zeltplatz an der Ostsee.jpg|thumb|left|[[Camping]] on the beach at Prerow in 1990]]
The [[Darß]] Museum was founded in 1953 and various events are held here during the summer months. The museum displays the culture of the region, dominated by its countryside by the sea. Its exhibition contains information about geological history, traditional sailing boats, typical architectural style, flora and fauna. On Fridays, members of staff speak to all guests in the traditional local language, [[Low German]].

[[File:Prerow, Germany, 01.jpg|thumb|Traditional house in Prerow]]

[[File:Prerow, Germany, 02.jpg|thumb|Prerow in the evening.]]

[[File:Prerow, Germany, 03.jpg|thumb|Traditional house in Prerow]]

[[File:Prerow, Germany, 04.jpg|thumb|Traditional house in Prerow]]

== History of tourism ==
After the great [[storm surge]] of 1872, an intense development of tourism began. Within a few years the number of visitors had risen enormously. The publican, Herrmann Scharmberg, first organized simple swimming facilities. On 12 November 1878 he asked the royal government of Stralsund to establish a Baltic seaside spa. His request was granted. Two years later, in 1880, eighty visitors made their way to the village, which at the time had a population of approximately 1,550. The date is celebrated as the admission of Prerow into the circle of the Baltic resorts. In 2010, Prerow, as the second biggest resort in this region, celebrated 130 years as a seaside resort.

{{Commons category}}

== Personality related to the place ==

* [[Erich Heckel]] (1883-1970), painted in summer 1911 in Prerow
* [[Dietmar Bartsch]] (born 1958), politician (The Left), lives in Prerow
* [[Sebastian Hämer]] (born 1979), singer, grew up in Prerow

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120727021914/http://www.ostseeebad-prerow.de/ official website of Prerow]
* [http://www.nationalpark-vorpommersche-boddenlandschaft.de/ national park]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Towns and municipalities in Vorpommern-Rügen (district)}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Seaside resorts in Germany]]