World’s highest sandcastle in Germany

The world’s highest sandcastle was built in 2019 in the seaside town of Binz, located on Rügen Island in northern Germany. The structure reached an impressive height of 17.66 metres (57 feet 11 inches), earning it a place in the Guinness World Records at the time. The sandcastle, created by a team of international sculptors, became a remarkable feat of temporary architecture and a major attraction for both tourists and art enthusiasts.

Background and Location

Binz, a well-known resort on the Baltic Sea coast, has long been associated with art and tourism. The town hosts various cultural events and is recognised for its scenic coastline and beach festivals. The idea of constructing the world’s tallest sandcastle was conceived as part of a project to showcase the artistic and engineering potential of sand sculpture.
The site at Binz was chosen for its spacious beach area, favourable sand texture, and accessibility for visitors. The event drew significant attention from across Europe, reinforcing Binz’s reputation as a hub for creative coastal projects.

Construction and Design

The sandcastle was designed and built by Skulptura Projects GmbH, a company known for organising large-scale sand art exhibitions. A team of around twenty professional sculptors from different countries, including the Netherlands, Russia, Latvia, Poland, and Germany, collaborated on the project.
Construction began in May 2019 and took several weeks to complete. The team used approximately 11,000 tonnes of sand, carefully selected for its fine grain and cohesive properties, allowing it to be compacted into durable layers. Each section of the structure was meticulously carved using sculpting tools, precision measurements, and a carefully maintained moisture balance to ensure stability.
The castle featured intricate designs such as towers, bridges, stairways, and mythical figures, drawing inspiration from European medieval architecture and fairy-tale motifs. The sculptors combined artistic creativity with engineering precision, using sand compression and layering techniques to prevent collapse under its own weight.

Technical Aspects and Challenges

Building a structure of this magnitude from sand presented several engineering challenges. The main difficulty lay in maintaining vertical stability while ensuring that the moisture content remained optimal. If the sand dried too quickly, the structure risked cracking; if it became too wet, it could lose its form.
To overcome these obstacles, the team employed layered construction with compacted sand blocks, gradually building upwards while maintaining a broad base for support. Temporary scaffolding and protective coverings were used during the early phases to shield the structure from wind and rain.
The weather played a crucial role throughout the construction process. Calm, dry conditions favoured the sculptors, but even mild rain or wind required the team to pause work and reinforce vulnerable sections. Despite these challenges, the final structure stood firm and was successfully verified as the world’s tallest sandcastle.

Artistic and Cultural Significance

The Binz sandcastle was more than an engineering achievement—it was a celebration of ephemeral art, blending creativity with nature’s most basic material. Sand sculpting, though temporary by nature, symbolises the transience of art and human effort.
This monumental sculpture drew thousands of visitors and photographers, transforming the quiet Baltic resort into a centre of cultural tourism. Beyond its visual appeal, it highlighted the growing global appreciation for eco-friendly, impermanent art forms that emphasise sustainability and respect for the environment.
The event also contributed to local economic activity, attracting tourists, hotels, and media coverage. The sandcastle served as a reminder that even fleeting creations can leave a lasting cultural impact.

Record and Subsequent Developments

When completed, the Binz sandcastle officially held the Guinness World Record for the tallest sandcastle ever built, surpassing previous records from other countries. It stood as a landmark achievement in sand art, combining teamwork, innovation, and artistry.
However, in 2021, the record was surpassed by a sandcastle built in Denmark that reached 21.16 metres, setting a new global benchmark. Despite this, the Binz sandcastle remains one of the most admired examples of sand engineering and creative collaboration in recent history.