Stralsund and Wismar
Stralsund and Wismar are two historic coastal cities in north-eastern Germany, that owe WHS status because of their role in the Hanseatic League (13th to 15th centuries) and their Swedish heritage (17th and 18th centuries).
Both towns are rich in gothic religious architecture, sharing six major ‘Gothic Brick’ churches between them. They also feature unaltered medieval ground plans, and city centres that survived World War II almost unscathed.
This site is considered so closely related and complementary to the
Hanseatic City of Lübeck WHS, that ICOMOS recommended turning them into a serial nomination.
Visit December 2007
Both Stralsund and Wismar can be visited on a day trip from any of northern Germany’s big cities. I choose the more remote Stralsund, located about 200 km east of Lübeck. It’s an easy Autobahn-ride deep into Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and close to the German-Polish border where controls were lifted earlier this week. How the world changes. Stralsund itself used to be hidden behind the Iron Curtain too.
Anno 2007 it turns out to be a pretty and well-looked-after little town. Parking and navigation is easy in the almost deserted streets. Ugly modern construction that so dominates Lübeck fortunately is lacking here. The Hanseatic and the Swedish heritage go side-by-side, brick houses and colourful residences alternate in the streets. Most impressive sights are the red brick churches adorned with huge towers.
One of these former churches now houses the ‘Meeresmuseum’, a museum dedicated to the sea with bits and pieces of GDR history and an aquarium. Fun for kids and a bit quirky too.
The Stralsund harbour is where the locals are taking their Sunday stroll. I finish my stay here at a fish restaurant with lunch of jacked potato and caviar.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
Frederik Dawson (Netherlands):
 Wismar is a small town on the Baltic coast in northern Germany which has rich heritage of Hanseatic League and Sweden. Wismar can be called a prettiest small city in northern Germany; it’s full of many lovely buildings from hanseatic brick style to Swedish gable houses. Its pride is large red brick cathedral of St. Nikolai which every decorative detail made from bricks, a very unique way in this region. The city’s market square is very nice with lovely renovated building and in the centre of the square is a big well covered with Dutch Renaissance style pavilion called Wasserkunst! The seafront area is also nice with lively old buildings and fish market.
The big problem of Wismar is cars, they park everywhere from main square to small streets which sometime ruins the atmosphere.
Waking in Wismar is a very nice experience; all pavements are very good in design for walking, every turns always have some surprise with amazing buildings, churches, squares and my favorite is a bridge decorated with pigs! Wismar is just great for spending your time in holiday, less crowned compared to Stralsund or Lubeck and has the feel of down to earth.
Swedish link is still active in this city; I can see Swedish flags more than German ones. You may wonder where you are now, Sweden or Germany. |
| Date posted: September 2006 |
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