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

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:

Chasing rainbows
The only road to P.E.I.
Oct. 25, 2025Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
Jun. 10, 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan
Meet an expert on the dog days of summer
Jun. 8, 2025World Oceans Day
Jul. 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
May 2, 2026Jasper National Park in Alberta
Mesmerising glass pyramids
May 31, 2024Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
Aug. 9, 2024International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
Family on parade
Aug. 20, 2023International Lighthouse Weekend
May 21, 2025International Tea Day
A beautiful labyrinth
Jul. 23, 2025Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Nov. 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands
Jewel of the Adriatic
Jun. 20, 2024Summer solstice
May 10, 2026Happy Mothers Day!
Say hello to these halophytes!
Apr. 2, 2026Wildflower bloom, Central Valley, California, United States
Dec. 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Nov. 4, 2025Tower Bridge, London, England
Dec. 27, 2023Kirkjufell, Iceland
Mar. 21, 2026International Day of Forests
Apr. 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
Angry bird, doting dad
May 27, 2024Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Jan. 6, 2024Vermilion Lakes, Banff