Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Feb. 17, 2024

Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

This winter wonderland is Rügen, Germany"s largest island. From the iconic chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park to sandy beaches, the island provides a diverse landscape for nature enthusiasts to revel in. Many artists have come here in the past to give free rein to their creativity. The chalk cliffs inspired one of Germany"s most famous painters—Caspar David Friedrich. Pictured here is Sassnitz lighthouse, a maritime beacon that has guided sailors through the Baltic Sea since its establishment in 1905. Though ice may be covering the shore, the lighthouse still stands, frozen as over, shining a light for ships to sail by.

© Christian Back/eStock

palette

Today in History

Let the Great Backyard Bird Count begin!
Feb. 17, 2025Coll dAres, Catalan Pyrenees
Feb. 17, 2026Chinese New Year

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb. 24, 2024Almond trees in full bloom, California
May 21, 2025International Tea Day
Stairway to where?
Feb. 13, 2024Mardi Gras
Fit for a fairytale
Oct. 2, 2024Autumn in the Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon
Oct. 11, 2025World Migratory Bird Day
Jan. 12, 2025Crescent-tail bigeye fish, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Oct. 18, 2025International Archaeology Day
Something to ‘bee’ thankful for
Sep. 5, 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival
An ocean of stars above the desert
Oct. 30, 2024Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, United Kingdom
Aug. 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
The Big Apple with a foggy topping
Aug. 28, 2025Great white egret, Hungary
Whats so funny?
Jun. 25, 2025Glastonbury Festival begins
Jan. 24, 2025Thorrablot: The Icelandic midwinter festival
Beautiful from all angles
If given Menton, make lemonade
Apr. 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
Nov. 13, 2025Distillery Winter Village
Frosty Finland
Mar. 2, 2026Harbour and longtail boats at Ko Samui, Thailand
May 23, 2025World Turtle Day
There’s more to Pisa than leaning towers
Stretching to the sky
Aug. 4, 2024Friendship Day
Oct. 22, 2025Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria