Warnemunde is a small village at the mouth of the river Warnow with a population of 35,000.

It is an operational fishing port and an attractive seaside resort with vast dunes and sweeping stretches of sand on each side of the river's mouth. Founded in about 1200, Warnemünde was for centuries a small fishing village with minor importance for the economic and cultural development of the region. In 1323 Warnemünde lost its autonomous status as it was purchased by the city of Rostock in order to safeguard the city's access to the Baltic Sea. It was not until the 19th century that Warnemünde began to develop into an important seaside resort where people come to rest and recuperate. You'll see rows of ancient, timber-framed houses, sleepy squares, modern hotels with spas, sculptures and boats galore.

It is easy to see why it is considered one of Germany's best seaside towns. The large sandy beaches stretch over 3 Kms and can be accessed by a broad promenade. Whilst they were rather empty today I can see that it would be very busy in hot weather. Little cabanas are set out in row upon row in preparation for the high season.

Warnemunde lighthouse was built in 1897 and is near the beach promenade. It is still in use today and provides an impressive view of the Baltic Sea and nearby Rostock region from the high tower. Warnemünde's other famous landmark, the nearby Teepott (Teapot) is an interesting living example of East German architecture. Rebuilt in the 1960s with a curved roof and renovated in 2002, it today houses various restaurants but why it is called a teapot....I have no idea !!!

Beside the Teapot is a simple 1:1 billion scale model of the solar system - the Warnemunde Planetenwanderweg - with a 1.4m diameter gold sphere as a model of the sun and signs demonstrating the distance of the planets.

Edvard Munch House, where the famous Norwegian painter of The Scream lived from 1907 to 1908, is an unassuming house at Am Strom 53.

Lutheran Church (current building)has been serving the congregation of Warnemunde since 1871. The carved gothic altar, the statue of St Christopher and the pulpit were rescued from the demolished church and date from 1475. A new addition to the church is the pipe organ with its 1587 pipes.

A great little place to visit and I think my memories will be of the various sculptures both sand and bronze - that I found as we wandered around......