In the early 14th century, Gellen Church ("Gellenkirche"), a small beacon (called "Luchte") and the first harbour were built on the island of Hiddensee. The name "Karkensee" ("Kirchensee" or "church lake") for a bay by the barrier on South Gellen still bears witness to the old church. A light beacon, which marks the northern entrance of the so-called Gellenstrom channel, still stands on the peninsula.