Would the Deutsches Bernsteinmuseum in Ribnitz-Damgarten be worth about a 4-hour stop on the way from Hamburg to Binz auf Rügen (train)?
It looks like it is now located next to the monastery, and includes a café with an interesting menu.
Any thoughts?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8624 posts
Wishin, this is a paste from my Trip Report on Baltic Germany:
If you happen to go to Wismar or Straslund or Rügen Island anyway (we did not have time for Rügen after all), I do want to endorse the Deutsches Bernsteinmuseum in Ribnitz. In two and a half floors, it provides a comprehensive story of amber. There are plenty of English labels. Much more is produced in Poland than in Germany. But I never expected to see a handful of amber nuggets from New Jersey! From a connoisseurship point of view, I will say that the one gallery of formal amber Decorative Art (meaning composite amber clocks, jewelry boxes, lamps, and so on), is not of the highest quality, such as you'd find in the MAK Cologne or the Louvre decorative arts building. It's all in a lovely gut-renovated cloister district that we did not have time to explore. However, it does NOT warrant a special one-hour or more drive, each way, if you're not in the area.
I'm still happy with the thoughts I expressed, but I don't want to "damn it with faint praise". The real issue is that it's quite a long trip if you don't have other reasons to be in the area. Also note that I said [that all the driving meant] that we didn't explore what looked like an attractive neighborhood. I go to a lot of museums, so I'm sure I'm a bit snobby!
Posted by
OP
Wisconsin
609 posts
Tim, thank you for your reply. I do now remember your trip report, mostly because so few Americans visit that area of Germany.
I bypassed the museum several years ago when I was in that area, and now have it on my list for my next visit to Binz. It's not out of the way, just a stopoff. Get off the train and get on the next direct train 4 hours later. I'm thinking museum and lunch. Yes?
I totally love Rügen, and have been there four times. It's a shame you missed it, IMHO. Walking around Binz and biking, seeing all that "spa architecture ", and beach and the dunes, and the promenade, it was wonderful. Being in a beachfront hotel with a seaview room, and a great restaurant obviously helps the experience, too. :)
Posted by
Schwerin
4421 posts
Not regarding Bernsteinmuseum but if people plan to search and collect Bernstein (amber) when walking along the Baltic Sea beaches. Serious fire accidents occur time and again on Germany's coastlines. The reason: white phosphorus stones that are mistaken for amber. Collectors unsuspectingly put the stones in their pants or jacket pockets and suffer severe burns as soon as the stones dry out.
Phosphorus can ignite at temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius and cause severe burns. Fortunately, however, finds are still very rare. Since phosphorus and amber are difficult to distinguish from each other at first glance, it is advisable to collect the supposed amber in a tin can or preserving jar rather than putting it in your pants or jacket pocket.
More details in German language by public broadcaster NDR:
https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/reise/Bernstein-an-Nord-und-Ostsee-suchen-und-erkennen,bernstein145.html
btw: the chances to find amber in the next months on Rügen is higher than in other years because we had strong Eastern winds and storms for weeks now with below-average temperatures this January. No weather complaint, just reporting.
btw2: Germany still has hundred thousands of tons of ammunition from WWII sunk in the Baltic and North Sea.