ThePalmer Ort is the southernmost point of the GermanBaltic Sea island ofRügen and its peninsula ofZudar. The cape lies on the territory of the municipalityGarz/Rügen.
Palmer Ort marks the boundary between theBay of Greifswald and the sound ofStrelasund. On the land side, there is a small coastal defence wood in front of the Palmer Ort. Through it runs a woodland path to the Palmer Ort, part of which is laid out as anature trail, "Know Your World" (Erkenne Deine Welt). The nearest settlement is the small hamlet ofGrabow, about 1 kilometre to the northeast. At Palmer Ort itself there is a narrow, natural sandy beach which is not often frequented by visitors because of its isolation. Anglers use the beach to fish forpike.
In winterice floes at the Palmer Ort often pile up to form heaps of ice several metres in height.
In 1372, a ship with 90pilgrims on board sank off the Palmer Ort in a storm. They were travelling on apilgrimage toSt. Lawrence's Church on Zudar. There is a story that there had been a painting of theBlessed Virgin Mary there, which was said to work miracles, but which disappeared after the disaster.[1]
During thePomeranian campaign of theGreat Northern War, Palmer Ort was the scene of hostilities. An invasion fleet of 500 ships fromPrussia,Denmark andSaxony sailed towards Palmer Ort on 11 November 1715.Sweden, to which Rügen belonged, gathered its forces in the area of Palmer Ort. The invasion fleet was fired upon from the Zudar peninsula, but no significant losses occurred. The fleet did not actually intend to land at Palmer Ort, which was strongly held by the Swedes, but could not implement its real plan for the landing, due to unfavourable wind conditions. A few days later, however, much of the fleet put off to the northeast in the fog, unnoticed by the Swedes, and landed unscathed at Groß Stresow. One of thePrussian columns there commemorates this landing. Some ships were left in front of Palmer Ort to continue to feign a landing attempt there.
In 1968 abuoy tender belonging to the East German navy, theVolksmarine, was given the name ofPalmer Ort. The town ofStralsund named one of its roadsZum Palmer Ort.
54°13′15″N13°23′36″E / 54.22091°N 13.39331°E /54.22091; 13.39331