Germany's probably most famous chalk cliffs have been attracting visitors for centuries.

Before the viewing platform on the Königsstuhl on Rügen is finally closed at the end of April, those responsible are expecting more crowds.

"We think so," said Franziska Prommer from the Königsstuhl National Park Center.

"We are also planning a finale on the Königsstuhl."

Work is currently underway on a new viewing platform - the so-called Königsweg.

It is said to hover several meters above the chalk cliffs hanging from a strong mast.

Above all, the way over an increase called the king's grave to the previous viewing platform on the 118-meter-high rock is affected by erosion, Prommer said.

For this reason, various alternatives have been discussed since 2011.

Last year, work began on the steel construction now planned.

The 185 meter long circular route is scheduled to open this summer.

The cost of the project is estimated at more than 7.5 million euros.

Symbolic stones to say goodbye

The closure of the previous platform was previously planned for the end of February.

However, less space is currently required for the construction work, so that visitors can still get to the platform until the end of April, Prommer said.

The number of visitors is currently normal.

"Of course you have the visitors who come now because they have heard about it and of course want to take it with them again."

At the end of the last two weeks, guests should be given the opportunity to symbolically put down stones that will remain after the closure, it said.

Based on "The Wanderer above the Sea of ​​Fog" by the painter Caspar David Friedrich, a figure should also be set up as a photo backdrop.

According to Prommer, around 300,000 visitors normally come to the Königsstuhl every year.

The first known mention of the Königsstuhl comes from 1584. Tourism started around the late 17th to 18th centuries.

There have been discussions in the past about a staircase nearby.

The previous descent to the beach was partially damaged and dismantled in 2016.

There was a similar incident elsewhere on the cliffs on Rügen.

Since the National Park and the Ministry of the Environment have so far refused to rebuild the stairs - also with reference to the dangers - there have been multiple protests from residents and visitors to Rügen.