Prerow unveils Baltic Sea's grandest pier with maritime utility
After more than two years of construction, the longest pier on the Baltic Sea was officially opened in the German resort of Prerow. The £38 million investment will attract tourists and protect ships in danger.
The impressive structure is 720 metres long and 4 metres wide and is supported by 87 piles. Work on this gigantic project began in August 2022.
Initially, the plan was to complete construction and open the pier in the summer, but the inauguration was delayed due to staffing issues and postponed technical approvals.
The new pier is meant to be functional
The unique pier in Prerow stands out not only for its length but also for its functionality. With a width of 4 metres, it can be used by even emergency vehicles, making it the only structure of its kind in Germany equipped with traffic signals.
As the Ministry of Environment of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern highlighted, “the pier is not intended for public vehicular traffic.” Service and rescue traffic will be allowed but at a limited speed.
Terrace with a view of the Baltic
A new harbour has been located at the end of the pier. It covers an area of 10,000 square metres and accommodates 33 recreational units. Some spaces have already been reserved for local fishermen. The harbour aims to improve the infrastructure for sailors, creating a convenient place to dock between Warnemünde and Barhöft.
The investment also includes the construction of service facilities. On the pier, a building with offices and water, sewage, and electrical installations will be built.
The project will be crowned by a rooftop terrace accessible to tourists, from which picturesque views of the Baltic can be admired. In the future, a sun terrace and a bridge crossing at the rescue tower are also planned. All works are expected to be completed by May next year.
The new pier in Prerow is not just a tourist attraction but also an important investment that will significantly improve the coastal infrastructure of this region.
With the opening of the pier in Prerow, the pier in Sopot has lost its leading position. Its walking section is 512 metres, of which 458 metres extend into the Gulf of Gdańsk. The new pier is, therefore, over 200 metres longer.
