Wismar, Germany: the most detailed information about the city of Wismar, the main attractions with photos and descriptions, location on the map.
City of Wismar (Germany)
Wismar is a port city in northern Germany, located on the Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Gabled house facades, brick gothic churches and cobbled streets give this small photogenic town a traditional Hanseatic feel. Although Wismar joined the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, he spent most of the 16th and 17th centuries as part of Sweden. Wismar is a city with a rich cultural and historical heritage, the historic center of which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Story
Wismar was founded in the 13th century during the German colonization of the Slavic territories in northern Germany. The city was first mentioned in a document in 1229. Wismar was an important part of the Hanseatic League, which started out as an alliance of merchants and merchants from Northern Germany and then grew into a vast trading network of about 200 ports and cities. The basis of trade was mainly herring, beer and cloth. During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) Wismar fell under Swedish domination, the status of which he retained until 1803. Today, Wismar's old town has traces of history dating back to the Middle Ages, including several outstanding brick Gothic churches and old houses.
Significant dates in the history of Wismar:
- 1st half of the 13th century - Wismar received city rights.
- 1259 - an alliance with Lübeck and Rostock, from which the Hanseatic League subsequently grew.
- 1257 - 1358 - Wismar was the residence of the princes of Mecklenburg.
- 1376 - plague epidemic.
- 1648 - Wismar went to Sweden and turned into a powerful fortress of the Swedes in the south of the Baltic.
- 1803 - Sweden laid the city to the Dukes of Mecklenburg and became part of the German Empire.
During World War II, Wismar was severely bombed. In 2002, the historic center of the city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to get there
The nearest major international airport is located in Hamburg. Railway communication connects Wismar with Lübeck, Berlin, Rostock and other cities. The railway station is located almost in the center of the city, 10 minutes walk from the market square. You can find out the schedule and buy tickets on this website - https://www.goeuro.com. It is very convenient to get to Wismar by car. Two autobahns approach the city: A14 - from the south, A20 - east and west.
Geography and climate
Wismar is located at the southern end of the bay of the same name in the Baltic Sea. The city is located in a temperate zone with maritime influences. Summers are warm, winters are quite mild with an average temperature of about 0 degrees. During the year, about 600 mm of precipitation falls. The driest month is February. The largest number precipitation falls in summer.
Shopping, shopping, gastronomy
One of the centers of shopping and gastronomy in Wismar is the old port. In addition to the charming sea atmosphere, here you will find cozy pubs and restaurants, shops with souvenirs and other goods. You can also buy fresh fish and seafood from fishermen.
A large number of shops and restaurants are located in the old town on the medieval winding streets.
Attractions Wismar
The main attractions of Wismar are concentrated in the old town. The heart of Altstadt is the market square or Markt. The area is 10,000 square meters and is one of the largest in Northern Germany.
The town hall is located in the northern part of the square. The modern building was built at the beginning of the 19th century on the site of an old Gothic building, while retaining some of the original elements.
Another interesting building of the Markt is the Wasserkunst. This is a small granite pavilion built according to a Dutch design at the end of the 16th century. Its function was to supply the central part of the city with drinking water.
A little to the left of Wasserkunst is the medieval house "Old Swede", reminiscent of Swedish rule. This brick Gothic house was built at the end of the 14th century.
Another beautiful house in the brick Gothic style is the Archdeacon's house, built in the middle of the 15th century.
Among the old historical buildings of Wismar, the Schabbellhaus stands out. This is a brick building in the style of the Dutch Renaissance, which housed a brewery. The house was built in the second half of the 16th century and is one of the first buildings of this style on the Baltic coast.
Church of St. Georgena in Wismar Church of St. Georgena is one of the three outstanding brick gothic churches in Wismar. This is an important architectural monument of Northern Germany, the origins of which date back to the 13th century. This religious building was considered the church of artisans and merchants, and its construction continued until the end of the 16th century. An observation deck is located on the 36-meter tower.
Not far from the church is Fürstenhof - the old residence of the Mecklenburg nobles. The west wing was built in the Gothic style at the beginning of the 16th century, and the east wing in the Renaissance style in the middle of the 16th century.
Church tower of St. Mary - a high 80-meter brick Gothic tower. This is all that remains of one of the most beautiful churches in Northern Germany. Church of St. Mary's was badly damaged during World War II. In 1960, it was decided not to restore it and demolish it.
Church of St. Nicholas is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Wismar. It was built in the 14th century and was considered the church of sailors. The 37-meter central nave is the fourth largest among all medieval churches in Germany.
The Wassertor, or water gate, is the only surviving of Wismar's five medieval city gates. Their current structure dates from the middle of the 15th century, with a typical late Gothic stepped pediment.
Video
Wismar is one of the most beautiful, exciting and atmospheric cities modern Germany. Few travelers know that this territory used to belong to the Swedish state, and was also part of the so-called "Hanseatic" Union. That is why the architecture of the city has retained the features of several cultures, united under a common command. All this is preserved in the Old Town - a special area, which since 2002 has been under the protection of UNESCO.
The city is extremely photogenic. Even if you do not have professional knowledge in the field of photography, you will definitely bring beautiful pictures from the trip. So how can fans of classics like 1922's Nosferatu not visit Old Harbor? After all, this place was captured in one of the most famous films about night creatures almost a hundred years ago. Still not fully realized the magic that Wismar gives to every visitor? Then we will consider in detail what interesting places you can visit the most interesting and useful things to do, and even places where you can try the local cuisine or just have a delicious lunch!
View of colorful Wismar, Germany (Photo from above © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)
Old city and its surroundings. Let's start with those moments that you can watch yourself and for free. This list includes the Old Town, which is the heart of Wismar. Here, for example, is the largest square of the Middle Ages - the Market Square. Perhaps the largest markets used to be located here, but now the main attractions are somewhat different objects.
One of them is the Wasserkunst well, whose history dates back to 1602. It is decorated with mosaic patterns and once people used it as a source of drinking water. Nearby are the old buildings "Red Swede" (AlterSchwede) and the Town Hall. There you can also visit a special historical exhibition from 10 am and 6 pm, the cost of which will be 2 euros per adult and 1 euro per child.
MuseumSchabbellhaus. Another museum of the history of the city, which is located in the Renaissance building of the brewery (Schabbellhaus), located near the church of St. Nicholas.
Church of St. Nicholas. A unique architectural monument that survived the Second world war, awaits all visitors for a fee of 2 euros. In different months, the work schedule varies slightly: from 8 am to 8 pm from May to September, from 10 am to 6 pm in October and April. The rest of the museum is open from 11 am to 4 pm.
Steeple of St. Mary's Church. The spire is all that remains of the once beautiful and majestic building. On the lower floor there is a museum that tells about the construction technology of ancient churches. You can visit the exhibition from 10 am and 6 pm from April to October. In other months from 11 am to 4 pm.
Church of St. George. There are really many churches in the city, and they are all unique, with amazing architecture. This building is under a long post-war reconstruction and will soon become a monument of cultural and historical heritage.
Top 5 things to do while in Wismar
Eating places
All active vacationers need to refresh themselves sometimes in order to move forward with renewed vigor.
- T'onZägenkrog is a restaurant for those who love fish. Here it is excellently prepared. There are other seafood on the menu, and the view from the restaurant is really inspiring - the harbor. The approximate cost of lunch is 25 euros.
- AlterSchwede - in this restaurant you can order a traditional dish - Baltic eel. There are also many other seafood dishes with a wide variety of side dishes. Lunch will cost you an average of 25 euros.
(Photo above © Okieh / commons.wikimedia.org / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
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Coat of arms of Wismar |
|
| A country | Germany |
| Earth | Mecklenburg - Vorpommern |
| Population | 45,182 people (2006) |
| Square | 41.36 km² |
| Postcode | 23952, 23966, 23968, 23970 |
| car code | HWI |
| Official site | http://www.wismar.de/ (German) |
| Official code | 13 0 06 000 |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 53°53′33″ s. sh. 11°27′54″ E / 53.8925° N sh. 11.465° E (G) (O) (I) 53°53′33″ s. sh. 11°27′54″ E / 53.8925° N sh. 11.465° E d. (G) (O) (I) |
| Burgomaster | Rosemary Wilcken (SPD) |
| Center height | 15 m |
| Telephone code | +49 3841 |
| Timezone | UTC+1, summer UTC+2 |
Wismar (German Wismar) - a city in Germany, a city of land subordination, a Hanseatic city, located in Mecklenburg - Vorpommern.
The population is 45,182 (31 December 2006). It occupies an area of 41.36 km. The official code is 13 0 06 000.
Story
The exact date of the emergence of a settlement called Wismar and the roots of this name are unknown, although the sound of this word is consonant with the Slavic languages. The Mecklenburg hillfort near Wismar is often identified with Veligrad, the city of obodrites from medieval chronicles:
“And there was Prince Vandal, he ruled the Slavs, going everywhere to the north, east and west by sea and land, having conquered many lands on the coast of the sea and conquered the peoples for himself, he returned to the Great City (Veligrad) ...”
In the same place in Veligrad - the city of the Bodrichs, Rurik first appeared with two brothers.
Archaeologists suggest that Veligrad was founded in the 7th century. According to the Joachim Chronicle, the "Great City" was located on the seashore.
It is known that in 1293 the city of Wismar, together with Lübeck and Rostock, organized the commercial Hanseatic League. From 1257 to 1358 the city served as the residence of the princes of Mecklenburg. General meetings were held in the city 70 times, at which questions of the union were decided. However, after the discovery of America, trade routes shifted to the West, and the Hansa ceased to exist. Since that time, the city has lost its significance. The economic decline was completed thirty years' war. According to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, Wismar fell under the rule of Sweden, which considered the city as its "largest fortress in Europe."
In 1803, Sweden mortgaged the city and gave sovereignty to Mecklenburg for 1,258,000 Reistalers, retaining the right to reclaim the city after 100 years. Based on the rights of Sweden, the city of Wismar was not included in Mecklenburg until 1897. In 1903, Sweden finally renounced its rights. Wismar still retained several of the old "city liberties" laws, including the right to have its own flag.
The city, in which the factories of the aircraft company Dornier were located, was badly damaged by the Allied bombing in World War II. Nevertheless, the city center was included in 2002 in the UNESCO list as a world cultural heritage.
During the years of the GDR, the city was considered as the second most important sea harbor of the state, specializing in the shipment of potash fertilizers.
Attractions
Market Square
Building "Old Swede"
The photo shows the brick Old Swede, built in 1380. The Old Swede got its name only in 1878, when a hotel was opened in it.
This is the largest market square in the world with a size of 100,100 m. In 1602, according to the drawings of Philip Brandin, a 12-sided pavilion was installed on it, made in the style of the Dutch Renaissance. The pavilion, called Wasserkunst, until 1897 served as a distribution point, from which 220 residential and 16 public buildings were supplied with water. This pavilion, along with the Church of St. Mary, is one of the most important sights of the city.
Before the war, it was one of the largest brick Gothic churches in North Germany. Its architect, Johann Groth, took as a model the three-aisled basilica of the Church of Mary in Lübeck. In April 1945, the main building was badly damaged during a bombardment. The ruins were finally blown up in 1960. Only a high tower (81 m) remained from the church, on which 9 bells of the 16th-17th centuries hang. Here, in 1647, a clock with a dial of 55 m was installed, which four times a day perform one of the 20 chorales.
Today's story for those who passed military service in Wismar.
We have been living in Wismar since 1998 and have observed how the territory of the former military unit has changed. But the checkpoint has not changed at all during this time, except that the gates that block the passage inside the former military unit have disappeared.
The fence along the road leading inland has also been preserved.
To the right of the road is a building with columns. Outwardly, it has changed little, but inside the repair is in full swing - the Technical Museum will open here in the fall.
View of the same building from reverse side. You can see that the renovation is only in the central building and one wing. The other wing is not yet put in order
On it we discovered a bas-relief preserved from former times
From here you can see the blue building of the Wismar Shipyard
Next to the future Technical Museum is the building of the former barracks. A couple of years ago it was renovated, balconies were added and now this is a nursing home.
Such a panoramic photo of this house was placed in the local newspaper Wismar-Zeitung
The field next to the former barracks was built up with small houses
This area is now calledKasernenhof.And the people still call itRussenberg
For further inspection of the territory, we will return to the road leading from the checkpoint. We passed the barracks, turned left and see a long building. As far as we understand, these are former garages or warehouses
Behind them is a brick house. It is now a kindergarten.
To the right of it is the road to the Zoo (Tierpark)
And to the left is a view of the shipyard. As far as we understand, this path used to lead to a glass shop. When we arrived in Wismar, the glass was still standing. It was torn down a few years ago.
You and I do not turn off to the Zoo, but go straight ( kindergarten behind us). We are heading to the former landfill. We pass a large building (it looks like a large barn). Now it hosts all sorts of events like concerts of rock bands, festivals, etc.
Next to it is a new building. It refers to the park, which was built in 2002 on the site of the former landfill.
Opposite this building is a car park. In the distance you can see the former barracks
And this is the park itself.
It's called Burger Park. On the one hand, it borders on the zoo (now there is an entrance to the zoo from here too). A small piece of the new park is also occupied by animals.
A few more photos to complete the story. We made them in October 2014.
The Technical Museum has long been opened and is successfully operating. This year it hosted the exhibition “Inheritance Soviet army in Germany". The exhibition did not seem very interesting to us ... They demolished the wing of the building on which we photographed the bas-relief (a tank against the background of a star). But it seems that the bas-relief itself was preserved. Landscaping continues. Until recently, the checkpoint had a completely abandoned appearance, but now it has become prettier. New windows and doors were put in and the gates were repaired. 
Now they're tidying up the yard 
We were asked if the building of the commandant's office was preserved. Since we don't know exactly where it was, let's show all the buildings that are now nearby.
This building is right in front of the checkpoint, but it's definitely a new building
Photo 1 
Climb up the Lubsche Strasse. Here are all the buildings that stand opposite the former military unit.
Photo 2 
Photo 3 
Photo 4 
A red brick house and several other small houses complete this row. Next is the crossroads, near which stands a newly built supermarket
Photo 5 
Now back to the checkpoint and move down the street.
The place where the glass store was located now looks like this
Photo 6
Directly opposite are two houses
Here they are up close
Photo 8 
Photo 9 
There are other houses nearby.
Photo 10 
Photo 11 
Further a couple of residential buildings and a large OBI building materials store, and behind it a crossroads
Now a couple of photos that were asked to be shown in the comments
One of the oldest hospital buildings. A maternity hospital is located here now (what was described in the comments as Kinderklinik)
former houses officers on Tschaikowskistraße (now ordinary residential buildings) ohm). Only two houses are visible in the photo, but all three houses have been preserved.
The garrison House of Officers, which was nearby, no longer exists. This building was demolished 18 years ago. In its place, a new one was built - there are apartments for students and a hotel. This place is the corner of Tschaikowskistraße and Lübschestraße
And the entrance itself at number 46
If someone has preserved old photographs of the territory of the military unit or residential buildings, we are ready to place them here.
