Heringsdorf, the second-oldest and most elegant seaside resort on the island of Usedom, was founded as a fishing village in 1818. Only 7 years later the first holidaymakers arrived marking it a typical sleepy Pomeranian village. Many extravagant hotels, boarding houses and villas which were built in historicist and art noveau style before1914 have been preserved and listed. Some people say that German seaside resort architecture culminated at Heringsdorf. To cut a long story short, it is a classy place. Another superlative piece of architecture can be found at the beach: the modern promenade pier is the longest one on the island of Usedom. It measures more than 500 metres in length.