The pilots’ houses served the sea pilots of Warnemünde as living and working spaces. From here, they guided ships safely through the narrow and fast-flowing mouth of the Warnow River.
Today, the former pilots’ houses are used for restaurants, shops, or holiday accommodations.
Pilots were considered particularly experienced seafarers. They often knew shoals, currents, and weather changes better than the captains themselves.
More about the history of this place
The pilots’ houses on the Alter Strom represent a time when Warnemünde was primarily a harbor and working town. Sea pilots guided ships through the narrow and fast-flowing mouth of the Warnow River and bore great responsibility for people, cargo, and vessels. Their constant readiness made the immediate proximity to the water essential.
Without pilots, maritime trade to Rostock would hardly have been possible for centuries. The houses tell of a dangerous and physically demanding profession that has become almost invisible in today’s townscape. They make clear that Warnemünde’s development and prosperity were built on maritime labor – long before the Alter Strom became a promenade.