Ahrenshoop's Artist Village by the Baltic Sea

The little art village of Ahrenshoop nestles quietly by Germany’s bright Baltic Sea, an ode to the permanent current of art in our lives through the ages, providing a safe seaside haven for creatives and culturati alike.

Such cultural and artistic mobility is not just a phenomenon of our time - it had already appeared in 19^th century Europe. Then, it was cities that established their big art institutions while the countryside comprised an alternative work and life for artists' colonies, a sense of escapism.

In Germany, beside Murnau and Worpswede, lies the little fishing village of Ahrenshoop, ringed by the Baltic Sea breeze and cocooned by its own simplicity and untouched character.

Infused with a particular Baltic light that creates such an intensity of colours – time spent at Ahrenshoop is a whole new experience, especially for landscapists living 125 years ago. Indeed, its ever-changing scenery from bluff to bathing beach is manifested in artworks, still today.

This retreat-like artistic tradition is kept alive still in artist-in-residence programs. Creatives, like-minded people and nature enthusiasts soak in rural relaxation, suffused in artistic and cultural stimuli. Through walking the new Kunstpfad (art trail) visitors explore the alluring village and its art history, the contemporary architecture of the Kunstmuseum Ahrenshoop houses - the artist's colony, and Kunstkaten, a rather traditional old exhibition space dating back to 1909.

Ahrenshoop also maintains Germany’s more historical artists' houses, opening their doors for new generations with studios and workshops.

For a perfect beach-side hub suffused with New England sail white simplicity and beautiful food, sits Der Charlottenhof, an artsy boutique abode to sweep away cobwebs and blow in some truly Baltic inspiration.

EDITOR'S JOURNAL EDIT

For more sea and nature-swept rural retreats have a peek in our Salt & Turf edit, and for you art and culturati fans look in our Culture Kids edit for design hubs with art-lined walls, parlours of intelligent convos and next door to galleries, museums and cultural spaces.