The ship was designed specifically to be unsinkable due to its structural ballast and buoyancy tanks.
It spent decades under the Soviet flag as the training ship Tovarishch, during which it completed voyages to South America and North America.
The ship was featured in the 1935 film 'Die Gorch Fock' before it was seized as a war prize.
It returned to its home port of Stralsund in 2003 after being towed back from the UK.
The vessel underwent an extensive restoration process after its return to ensure it remained seaworthy enough to be displayed as a museum.
The Gorch Fock I is a three-masted barque permanently moored in Stralsund harbor as a floating museum. Launched in 1933 at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg, the vessel originally served as a sail training ship for the German Reichsmarine. Following World War II, it was claimed by the Soviet Union as reparations and renamed Tovarishch. After years of service and decay, the ship was bought back by a dedicated association in 2003 and returned to its original name. The interior features restored living quarters, engine rooms, and instructional areas. Visitors can explore multiple decks, including the hold and the captain's quarters, to understand life at sea during the early 20th century. The ship serves as a symbol of maritime history and German-Soviet naval cooperation.
From the harbor quay looking up at the bowsprit to capture the full length of the masts against the Stralsund skyline.
Wear flat-soled, non-slip shoes to safely navigate the steep, narrow ladders and original steep stairways between decks.
Check the weather before visiting, as the upper decks are exposed to wind and rain from the Baltic Sea.
Visit the engine room exhibit first, as it is often the most restricted area during busy periods.
Do not attempt to board with large backpacks or bulky bags, as the stairways between decks are extremely narrow and difficult to navigate.
Operates on a seasonal basis, typically extending hours in summer and reducing access or closing during winter months.
