Grüner Markt Gingst

Weekly Market in the Historic Museum Courtyard of West Rügen

Gingst, a municipality of 1,300 inhabitants in the Amt West-Rügen, boasts one of the most beautiful rural architectural ensembles on the island with its Museumshof on Karl-Marx-Straße. During the summer months, this courtyard becomes the stage for an exceptional weekly market every Saturday: the "Grüner Markt." Unlike conventional weekly markets, you'll find primarily organic and ecological products from regional production here — the vendors know their customers, and many return year after year.

What You Can Find Here

The assortment reads like a small anthology of Rügen's self-sufficiency: smoked fish and fresh fish from Ummanz, eggs, tomatoes, and vegetables from self-suppliers, homemade preserves, regional honey, sea buckthorn products and jams, fresh bread from the wood-fired oven. Alongside these, crafts: knitted woolens, felt slippers, books from small island publishers, pottery, basket weaving, and natural cosmetics. A catering stand offers organic food decorated with edible flowers — with both meat and vegetarian options.

Tradition and Identity

The market is not just a shopping event but also a social meeting point. "Everyone knows everyone here" — this is often said about the regular vendors who have gotten to know each other over the years. The neighboring museum café serves freshly baked cake, which can be enjoyed at handmade wooden tables. Gingst itself has a long tradition of craftsmanship: the first weavers' guild was founded in 1620 and revived in 1790 by the local pastor. In the 18th century, Gingst weavers even produced tablecloths for the Swedish King Gustav III.

Significance for West Rügen

For the residents of the West Rügen peninsula and the surrounding islands (Ummanz, Hiddensee), the Grüner Markt is a weekly must-attend event. Increasingly, tourists are also discovering the market as an alternative to the island's large supermarkets — and taking home smoked fish, sea buckthorn liqueur, and lavender soap as souvenirs. The organizer is Museumshof Gingst e.V., which ensures that the tradition lives on anew each year with dedication and attention to detail.