Vilm is actually situated in the Greifswald Bodden as if on a platter: the island is passed on the approach from Lauterbach and can be seen in full view from the banks of the Goor, just west of the harbour.
Only limited access to Vilm
There is a simple reason why the forest-covered silhouette of Vilm still seems remote: the island is part of the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve and access is strictly limited. The spiny spiked beard, a fungus, has found a refuge here among the rustic beech and oak trees, as have the riverside wolf spider and countless other plants and animals.
You can still explore the island on guided tours. The White Fleet provides the crossing from Lauterbach to the jetty in the north of Vilm twice a day. Tickets are limited due to nature conservation regulations, However, online booking is possible.
Honecker lived at number 2
In GDR times, however, even this was not possible: from 1959, there was a complete ban on entering the island for three decades. Prior to this, the unspoilt nature of the island had been popular with day trippers. The Society for Sport and Technology had even opened a sailing school on the island. But then it was decided at the highest level to use Vilm as a state guest house, a secluded holiday home for the GDR Council of Ministers.
A small holiday estate was built in the Fischer style. The Honeckers used the house at number 2, and other members of the Politburo also appreciated the seclusion. Even Brezhnev came to visit once. "Nature reserve for functionaries only", wrote the West German press at the time. In any case, it was a retreat of a different kind.
Moorings in Lauterbach opposite
Vilm is located at 54º19'34 "North and 013º31'49" East in the north of the Greifswalder Bodden just off the coast of Rügen. It covers an area of just 0.94 square kilometres. There is a ban on travelling and landing in the protected area, but the Baltic Sea island is accessible, as mentioned, with the White Fleet from Lauterbach, its marina also offers guest places.
