Viking festival in Göhren: Loud roars, swords, bows and arrows

Men with shaggy beards and swords, women in long robes with bows and arrows - the Vikings are always on the loose in the seaside resort of Göhren in the last week of August - to the delight of the many visitors to the pier

Author: Harald Braun
Published: March 31, 2025

People dressed as Vikings run towards each other on the beach at Göhren

"You're dead!" shouts the man with the mohawk braid to his opponent, a huge guy in a flowing white shirt. "Nah, nah!" he replies, pulling his lance to the side, jerking his 20 kilogram chain mail and pointing to his shield: "You didn't really hit anything!"

The crowd of spectators, who have gathered in large numbers around the 50 or so men fighting on the beach in Gießen, can easily hear this witty exchange of words and laugh out loud.
These Vikings here, who have just gone at each other with loud roars, swords, spears, bows and arrows, don't seem to take fighting morals terribly seriously. After all, this weekend in August 2022 in Göhren is first and foremost just a lot of fun, which is now happening for the fifth time.

Albeit with a historical background. For the men who have gathered here in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in striking garments and individually designed weapons, an authentic depiction of the Viking Age is important. Just like Jaromir and Norde, in real life forester Sascha and administrative assistant Mario.
Here in Göhren at the „Viking Festival“, however, they are a Slav (Jaromir) and a Viking (Norde). The difference is hardly recognizable for laymen, but for professionals like Michael Rietschel it is obvious: "You can easily distinguish the Slavs, whose origins may have been in what is now Ukraine, and the Vikings, who came from Scandinavia, by their weapons and the symbols on their clothing," he says. The Vikings, for example, carry a Thor's hammer, a kind of miniature hammer that stands for courage, luck and fertility. The Slavs, on the other hand, carry the so-called Axe of Perun, a pendant in the shape of a battle axe, to name just one example. Michael Rietschel is known in the relevant scene as "Der Germane" (The German) and knows the subject matter so well because he has been running a store of the same name for 22 years, first in Berlin and since 2016 in Gießen. It is not least thanks to him as co-organizer together with the spa administration that everything in Göhren has revolved around the time of the Vikings one weekend a year since 2018.

Viking festival with camp on the beach of Göhren next to the pier from the air.

Viking festival

Live music, show fights, culinary medieval delights

The showdowns between the mostly well-known, if not friendly, clans are just one part of the program. Around the Kurplatz in G&umlren, you can quickly get the impression that you have stepped into a time machine and been hurled straight into the Middle Ages. Mead, the honey wine that the Germanic tribes and Vikings regarded as the drink of the gods, is served at many stands. On the large stage there’s live music with medieval instruments such as bagpipes, drums or hurdy-gurdies and many unusual sounds. In „Jens sien Backstuuv“ meanwhile, so-called Lügen breads are sold, with names such as “3Käsehoch”, “Rittersmahl”, “Scharfer Stecher” or “Die unscharfe Schwester”, but in reality „nur“ für gut „Gefüllte Pizza“ stehen. A few meters further on, topless guys try their hand at the art of archery, there is a falconry show, tree sausages made according to a medieval recipe and also many stalls where craftsmen offer colourful garments and fine jewelry - exhibits that are also based on the Viking era. If you want, you can take a quick course in Viking studies in Göhren, culinary delights included.

More than a hobby

„We experience time and again that visitors come to our tents on the beach and are really interested in what we do here“, says Jaromir and is obviously very happy about it, „They sometimes stay for two or three hours and always have one more question.“ He can answer them all, just like Norde – both have been enthusiastic about their unusual hobby for more than 10 years. For Norde it was friends who got him interested in the Vikings, for Jaromir it was movies or music from the period. At the mention of the Netflix hit „The Vikings“, however, they both laugh in amusement: „That's not particularly authentic“, Jaromir reveals, „if you start with that, you're already messed up. If you look into the history a little, you realize that very quickly.“  He and his clan make every effort to use only authentic clothing and weapons, and the tent and its furnishings also correspond to pure doctrine and have been collected over many years, including at great expense. For Norde, the weekends that he devotes to his hobby every year also have another background. „I like this original life here on the beach“, he says, „we do without most modern aids as far as possible.“

Vikings at the festival in Göhren eating lunch under their tent on the beach.
Putting on a Viking robe with armor at the Viking festival in Göhren.
A Viking woman sits on the beach at the Viking Festival in Göhren in her typical garb.
A wall of signs against attacking children on the beach - the Viking festival in Göhren.

Vikings on the beach

An experience for the whole family

In fact, the Viking festival in Göhren is a highlight of the year for Jaromir and Norde. The camp right on the beach is a dream come true. Even if it is very, very time-consuming to lug all your stuff here.“ Norde also laughs and adds: „We carry the sand around with us all year and then bring it back next year.“ Incidentally, both are also good fighters, which will become apparent during the course of the day during the show fights on the battlefield on the beach. In the first edition of the battles, the two will face each other in the final. Do injuries occur from time to time during the show fights? „Rarely“, says Michael Rietschel, who moderates the show fights on the beach, „Most of the fighters are well protected and know what they are doing. They train regularly for the fights, which are practiced as a separate sport with special rules.“ The fact that women with swords or bows and arrows also take part in the show fights in Göhren is, by the way, in line with historical facts. In the Viking Age, women defended their homes and farms while men raided foreign lands. The only difference is that at the end of the show battles in Gähren, the hordes of children between the ages of 5 and 15 pounced on the Vikings with a roar and threw the mighty ruffians into the sand, a story that has probably never been told in any history book. But it was definitely a lot of fun.

Two Slavs in Viking costume on the beach in Göhren fighting against each other at the Viking festival.
Slav Jaromir (left) and Viking Norde: they are among the best fighters in the camp

Events in Göhren

137 Ergebnisse
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Good morning meditation on the beach

    • Nächster Termin: Today
    • Alle Termine: 7/2/25 to 8/27/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Builds and clarifies for the day. Please bring a mat (e.g. towel). Rain variant available.

    Read more: "Good morning meditation on the beach"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Pilates on the beach

    • Nächster Termin: Today
    • Alle Termine: 7/2/25 to 8/27/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    A great morning experience with supple movement exercises on the Baltic Sea beach. Please bring a mat. Rain option available.

    Read more: "Pilates on the beach"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Monster waves and a flood of plastic - coasts in danger?

    • Date: Today
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    "On the beach, we become wave explorers and coastal protectors! Don't forget your towel and swimsuit, because it's going to get wet..."

    Read more: "Monster waves and a flood of plastic - coasts in danger?"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Stranded - survival training at beach camp

    • Nächster Termin: Today
    • Alle Termine: 7/2/25 to 8/27/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Stranded on a desert island... How do we manage to survive in the wilderness without many aids?

    Read more: "Stranded - survival training at beach camp"
  • © Daniel Nickel

    Göhrener Strandklänge*

    • Date: Today
    • 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    In an inviting atmosphere - rousing live music with "James Sunburst & Lars Voges" - culinary delights.

    Read more: "Göhrener Strandklänge*"
  • © Kurverwaltung / Martin Stoever

    Literary walk

    • Nächster Termin: Today
    • Alle Termine: Today to 8/20/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Together we will encounter the legends and myths of the Island of Rügen on a walk through the enchanted forest at Göhrener Nordperd.

    Read more: "Literary walk"
  • Experience the forest with all your senses

    • Nächster Termin: Tomorrow
    • Alle Termine: Tomorrow to 8/21/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Forest bathing - spending time in the forest strengthens our immune system and brings soothing serenity.

    Read more: "Experience the forest with all your senses"
  • Bamboo bow making*

    • Nächster Termin: Tomorrow
    • Alle Termine: 7/3/25 to 9/4/25
    • Strandstraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Build your own bow and arrow and try it out right away.

    Read more: "Bamboo bow making*"
  • Bumblebees - teddies of the air

    • Nächster Termin: Tomorrow
    • Alle Termine: 7/3/25 to 8/28/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    What's that buzzing? Together through the bumblebee year!

    Read more: "Bumblebees - teddies of the air"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Pirate show - a maritime family spectacle

    • Date: Tomorrow
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Magic, music and fire art with Captain Chris de Flambö.

    Read more: "Pirate show - a maritime family spectacle"
  • Baltic Sea Research Station - Experiments in the beach laboratory

    • Nächster Termin: Tomorrow
    • Alle Termine: 7/3/25 to 8/28/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    In our experimental laboratory, we explore the mysteries of the Baltic Sea together!

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Research Station - Experiments in the beach laboratory"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Music in the spa gardens

    • Date: Tomorrow
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Concert with the youth guitar orchestra "Heiße Drähte".

    Read more: "Music in the spa gardens"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Discover Mönchgut

    • Nächster Termin: 7/11/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/11/25 to 8/22/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Hike steeped in history via Middelhagen with its historic town center and the fishing village of Alt Reddevitz. Length: approx. 10 km.

    Read more: "Discover Mönchgut"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    TIKI BEACH Party*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/11/25
    • Alle Termine: 5/30/25 to 10/10/25
    • Nordstrand Abgang, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    A beach evening with a campfire, music and Caribbean cocktails.

    Read more: "TIKI BEACH Party*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Wild herbs workshop

    • Nächster Termin: 7/11/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/4/25 to 8/29/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    We learn how to recognize edible wild and medicinal plants and how they can enrich our kitchen and medicine cabinet.

    Read more: "Wild herbs workshop"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Shanty choir meeting

    • Date: 7/11/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    The Shanty Sassnitz, together with friendly choirs.

    Read more: "Shanty choir meeting"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Music in the sea*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/12/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/26/25 to 8/27/25
    • Nordstrand, Strandzugang, 18586 Göhren

    Live music, culinary delights and sea views - unforgettable vacation moments right in your beach chair.

    Read more: "Music in the sea*"
  • © Tiki Beach

    Beach volleyball tournament*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/13/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/1/25 to 9/28/25
    • Nordstrand Abgang, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Everyman tournament, the form of play depends on the participants.

    Read more: "Beach volleyball tournament*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    5-Elements - Yoga on the beach

    • Nächster Termin: 7/14/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/7/25 to 8/25/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    This form of yoga is a holistic form of movement to strengthen body, mind and soul. Please bring a mat. Rain variant available.

    Read more: "5-Elements - Yoga on the beach"
  • Cycle tour to the pyramids on Rügen

    • Nächster Termin: 7/14/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/14/25 to 8/25/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Leisurely cycle tour to the megalithic tombs near Lancken-Granitz. Length: approx. 25 km.

    Read more: "Cycle tour to the pyramids on Rügen"
  • © Tiki Beach

    Junior Beach Soccer Tournament*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/14/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/2/25 to 9/29/25
    • Nordstrand Abgang, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Beach soccer tournament for children and teenagers.

    Read more: "Junior Beach Soccer Tournament*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Naturalists on a meadow safari

    • Nächster Termin: 7/14/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/14/25 to 8/11/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Equipped with a landing net and magnifying glass, we go on a discovery tour. We explore the mysterious world of meadow creatures.

    Read more: "Naturalists on a meadow safari"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Evening yoga on the beach

    • Nächster Termin: 7/14/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/7/25 to 8/25/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Relax and unwind on the Baltic Sea beach. Please bring a mat. Rain variant available. (Please bring a mat, rain option available).

    Read more: "Evening yoga on the beach"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Göhren in the good old spa days

    • Nächster Termin: 7/15/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/1/25 to 7/15/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    An amusing walk through the town with interesting information about the resort architecture and entertaining anecdotes about the summer resort of Göhren around 1900.

    Read more: "Göhren in the good old spa days"
  • Adventure Nordperd - For our little guests*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/15/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/1/25 to 9/9/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    With a ranger across Nordstrand via the Königsschlucht gorge into the Nordperd nature reserve. Along the way, the children learn interesting facts about the Baltic Sea and the mixed deciduous forest.

    Read more: "Adventure Nordperd - For our little guests*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Summer garden magic

    • Nächster Termin: 7/15/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/15/25 to 7/17/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Street art - musical diversity - garden promenade market.

    Read more: "Summer garden magic"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Volleyball meeting*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/15/25
    • Alle Termine: 6/3/25 to 9/30/25
    • Nordstrand Abgang, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    The meeting place for volleyball enthusiasts to get to know each other.

    Read more: "Volleyball meeting*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Treasures in the sand

    • Nächster Termin: 7/15/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/8/25 to 8/26/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Along the Baltic Sea beach to the Nordperd nature reserve: amber, thunderbolts, chicken gods and everything else we find. Let's go!

    Read more: "Treasures in the sand"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Church concert summer*

    • Date: 7/15/25
    • Neue Kirchstraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Virtuoso sounds for clarinet, recorder and organ.

    Read more: "Church concert summer*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Naturalists: The beach under the magnifying glass

    • Nächster Termin: 7/16/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/2/25 to 8/27/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Equipped with a landing net and magnifying glass, we uncover beach secrets and dive into the hidden underwater world.

    Read more: "Naturalists: The beach under the magnifying glass"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Mindfulness step by step

    • Nächster Termin: 7/16/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/2/25 to 8/27/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Walking meditation and mindfulness exercises.

    Read more: "Mindfulness step by step"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Discover Kneipp - Five elements for your well-being

    • Nächster Termin: 7/17/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/3/25 to 8/28/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Barefoot walking, refreshing water, herbal knowledge and more: lots of practical tips on the Kneipp philosophy in a relaxed atmosphere on the beach and in the spa gardens. Please bring a towel.

    Read more: "Discover Kneipp - Five elements for your well-being"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Baab Heath - Blueberry & Heather

    • Nächster Termin: 7/18/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/4/25 to 8/29/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Hike between the Baltic Sea and the Bodden on narrow paths through the pine forest of the Baaber Heide (approx. 10 km).

    Read more: "Baab Heath - Blueberry & Heather"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Promenade service*

    • Date: 7/20/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Protestant service of the Mönchgut-Sellin parish, accompanied by a wind orchestra.

    Read more: "Promenade service*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Music in the spa gardens

    • Date: 7/20/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Summer party with the cover band "Bos Taurus".

    Read more: "Music in the spa gardens"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Cycle tour Mönchguter Land & fishing villages

    • Nächster Termin: 7/21/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/7/25 to 8/18/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Our recommendation to really get to know the Mönchgut peninsula. Length: approx. 25 km.

    Read more: "Cycle tour Mönchguter Land & fishing villages"
  • © Colletes sp / Hans Juergen Sessner

    The fascinating world of wild bees

    • Nächster Termin: 7/21/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/7/25 to 8/25/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    The world of wild bees is full of surprises that we will discover together.

    Read more: "The fascinating world of wild bees"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Children's theater with puppets & live music - The Emperor's New Clothes

    • Date: 7/21/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Presented by Theater Phoebus. For young and old from 3.

    Read more: "Children's theater with puppets & live music - The Emperor's New Clothes"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Traveling cinema - silent film & music

    • Date: 7/21/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    The WANDERKINO is a mobile cinema and presents silent films of different genres: slapstick, monumental and experimental films.

    Read more: "Traveling cinema - silent film & music"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Church concert summer*

    • Date: 7/22/25
    • Neue Kirchstraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Neo-classical and romantic music for guitar.

    Read more: "Church concert summer*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Naturalists: Discoveries in the coastal forest

    • Nächster Termin: 7/23/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/23/25 to 8/20/25
    • Nordstrand, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    The forest is full of wonders and adventures that we will experience together.

    Read more: "Naturalists: Discoveries in the coastal forest"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    1st Live Concert & Cinema Evening*

    • Date: 7/23/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    With "David Gilmour" (Pink Floyd) Live at Pompeii.

    Read more: "1st Live Concert & Cinema Evening*"
  • © FVGV Goehren

    Neptune Days*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/25/25
    • Alle Termine: 7/25/25 to 7/27/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Come to Neptune's kingdom! Our water god invites you to a big party with a fun baptism.

    Read more: "Neptune Days*"
  • © Claudia Koreck

    Charity Open Air Concert *

    • Date: 7/26/25
    • Südstrand, 18586 Göhren

    With Claudia Koreck, a Bavarian singer who sings in different languages and styles. More info & tickets at Santé Royale Rügen Resort - music & donation for local projects. www.sante-royal.com"

    Read more: "Charity Open Air Concert *"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Ranger tour to the Göhrener Nordperd*

    • Nächster Termin: 7/28/25
    • Alle Termine: 5/5/25 to 10/20/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Discovery tour with a ranger through this unique part of the UNESCO Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve.

    Read more: "Ranger tour to the Göhrener Nordperd*"
  • Puppet Music Theater Zauberton

    • Date: 7/28/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    The bookworm Brilli presents the fairytale musical "Puss in Boots". A musical for children and adults based on the Brothers Grimm.

    Read more: "Puppet Music Theater Zauberton"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren

    Music in the spa gardens

    • Date: 7/28/25
    • Bernsteinpromenade, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Concert with the band "Black Bird".

    Read more: "Music in the spa gardens"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Göhren in the good old spa days

    • Date: 7/29/25
    • Poststraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    An amusing walk through the town with interesting information about the resort architecture and entertaining anecdotes about the summer resort of Göhren around 1900.

    Read more: "Göhren in the good old spa days"
  • © Daniel Nickel

    Göhrener Strandklänge*

    • Date: 7/29/25
    • Abgang, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    In an inviting atmosphere - rousing live music with "Jules Atlas" - culinary delights.

    Read more: "Göhrener Strandklänge*"
  • © Kurverwaltung Goehren / Martin Stoever

    Church concert summer*

    • Date: 7/29/25
    • Neue Kirchstraße, 18586 Ostseebad Göhren

    Organ concert with Andrea Battige.

    Read more: "Church concert summer*"

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