Gewölbe an der Grube © Anibal Trejo

Wismar

The big brick cathedrals - St. George, St. Marie and St. Nikolas shape the image of the venerable Hanseatic city and greet visitors from afar from the land or the sea. With its monumental churches, the impressive market square with its restored town houses and the old waterpumpingstation, Wismar has one of the best preserved medieval city centers in Germany. The ideally developed city complex from the heyday of the Hanseatic League has been UNESCO World Heritage since 2002. 

Individual shops, galleries and restaurants can be found in the city's colorful gabled houses. Regional specialties such as home-brewed beer and traditional fish dishes are served here. The small cafes are made for a break. It is wonderful to sit here with coffee and homemade cakes and watch the hustle and bustle in the pedestrian zone. In the UNESCO World Heritage City of Wismar, history and modernity merge into a lively place with a maritime flair, which is developing in a quiet way into a cultural meeting point directly on the Baltic Sea coast.

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Highlights

Market square and Wasserkunst

Market square and Town Hall

With its 10,000 m² surface area the market square is one of the largest in Northern Germany. The Town Hall is situated on the north side of the square. It was reconstructed in the classical style between 1817 and 1819 in accordance with plans by the court architect Johann Georg Barca of Ludwigslust. The ‘Alter Schwede’ was built around 1380. In the Middle Ages there were residential and business premises on the ground floor, and the first floor was used as storage space. It was not until 1878, when a catering establishment moved in, that the building was given the name ‘Alter Schwede’ in remembrance of Wismar’s Swedish period from 1648 to 1803.

Old harbour in Wismar

Old harbour and the Poeler cog

For centuries, Wismar has lived from and with its harbour, which extends far into the city. In the past, goods were loaded at the harbour that travelled for weeks across the Baltic Sea, but today the Old Harbour with its promenade invites visitors to linger and stroll. The Poeler Kogge is also moored directly in the harbour. It is a faithful replica of a Hanseatic cog. Round trips in the Wismar Bay or to Lübeck can be booked individually. Meetings or weddings are also possible on the cog.


 

St. George Church

Church of St. George

The Church of St. George is one of the three main churches in Wismar and is a magnificent architectural monument to the North German red brick Gothic style. At one time it was the church of the craftsmen and tradesmen. The origins of the Church of St. George lie in the first half of the 13th century. Over centuries of construction work, the church was altered many times and in 1594 it finally reached completion. During the Second World War, the church was seriously damaged but re-opened in 2010. Concerts and exhibitions take place here regularly. The observation deck allows a unique view over the old town and the harbour.


 

St. Mary's Church, aerial view

St. Mary's

The 80 metre high tower of the Church of St. Mary is a landmark of Wismar. The nave was damaged in the Second World War and demolished in 1960. Up until that time it was reputed to be one of the most beautiful brick churches in Northern Germany. The former municipal church was probably built in the first half of the 13th century. At the beginning of the 14th century a second church was built over the existing one, and it was twice as large and twice as tall as the old one. The church tower of St. Mary offers a wonderful view. During a guided tour of the tower guests will learn everything there is to know about the church.


 

St. Nikolas Church, An der Grube

St. Nicholas Church

The 37 metre high central nave is the fourth-highest church nave in Germany. Construction began on the church that we can see today in the 14th century. Originally the tower had a slender ridge turret which fell victim to a hurricane in 1703. The collapse of the turret caused large portions of the interior to be destroyed, these were later replaced in the baroque style. St. Nicholas’ was the church of seamen and travelers.

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