Granitz Hunting Lodge (Jagdschloss Granitz)
Jagdschloß Granitz 1, Binz, Germany, 18609
Grand arches and balconies are among the visual treats at the Granzig Hunting Lodge, but it’s the spiral iron staircase and tower lookout point that offer the real thrills. Visitors come to hike through the surrounding forest, soak up sweeping Rugen Island views, and discover the lodge’s history—from tales of Prussian princes to Nazi looting—in the museum.
The basics
Granitz Hunting Lodge is the star attraction in northern Germany’s Rugen Island. However, the site doesn’t feature on many day trips from bigger cities. You can visit it on your own, though, and weekly public tours give the lowdown on the lodge’s history and Renaissance-style architecture.
A highlight of the lodge is its central iron staircase, with more than 150 steps, leading up to the viewing platform. Vertigo-inducing it may be, but the views from the top are rewarding. From a vantage point of 125 feet (38 meters), the tower offers vistas encompassing both the forest and the nearby bay of Binz.
Things to know before you go
Allow at least half a day for a visit to cover walking to and from the car park, two hours exploring the lodge, and time for food.
The lodge isn’t barrier-free; wheelchair users should contact the site directly to plan a visit.
Visitor amenities include an on-site gift shop, plus restrooms and eateries.
How to get there
Set in the middle of a forest near Binz, the lodge is inaccessible by car. You can pay to leave your car in the Jagdschloss Granitz car park, then walk through the forest to the site on a hike roughly 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers) long. Other options include taking the Jagdschloss Express mini-train from Binz or the steam train Rasender Roland from Binz or Sellin. The latter option still involves a walk.
When to get there
Granitz Hunting Lodge is open most days year-round from mid-morning until late afternoon, with Monday closures in the quieter months (January through March and November through December). Public tours take place each Thursday morning.
Feeling hungry?
Head down to the vaulted cellar inside the lodge to enjoy food from the on-site Wirtshaus im Jagdschloss, which serves up regional specialties for lunch. Another option is the Waldbiergarten Granitz, just outside, where you can relax in the shade of the lodge and the trees, enjoying typical beer garden food, drinks, and ice cream. Bonus for families: There’s a playground attached.
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