WOLLIN, an island of Germany, in the Prussian province of Pomerania, the more easterly of the islands at the mouth of the Oder which separate the Stettinisches Haff from the Baltic sea. It is divided from the mainland on the east by the Dievenow channel, and from Usedom on the west by the Swine. It has an area of 95 sq.m. Heath and sand alternate with swamps, lakes and forest on its surface, which is flat, except for low hills in the south-west. Cattle-rearing and fishing are the chief resources of the inhabitants. Some of the villages are summer bathing resorts. Wollin, the only town, is situated on the Dievenow, and carries on the industries of a small seaport. Pop. 4,942.
Near the modern town once stood the ancient and opulent Wendish city of Wolin or Jumne, called Julin by the Danes, and Winetha or Vineta (i.e., Wendish town) by the Germans. The
Northmen made a settlement here about 97o, and built a fortress on the "silver hill," called Jomsburg, which is often mentioned in the sagas. The stronghold of Jomsburg was destroyed in 1098 by King Magnus Barfod of Norway. This is probably the origin of the legend that Vineta was overthrown by a storm or earth quake and overwhelmed by the sea. Some submarine granite rocks near Damerow in Usedom are still popularly regarded as its ruins. The town of Wollin became in 1140 the seat of the Pomer anian bishopric, which was transferred to Kammin about 1170. Wollin was burnt by Canute VI. of Denmark in 1183, and was taken by the Swedes in 1630 and 1759 and by the Brandenburgers in 1659 and 1675.