Historic Cities Worth a Special Visit : Germany

Striking Brick Gothic architecture distinguishes the state’s old Hanseatic cities such as Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund and Greifs-wald. For centuries the Baltic Sea ports were centers for the transshipment of goods to and from Scandinavia. Rostock and Greifswald are university towns with a long, proud tradition, The capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is Schwerin (114,000 inhabitants). Its most prominent landmark is the palace, formerly the residence of the grand dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and now the seat of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Other particularly noteworthy sights include the Mecklenburg State Theater, the State Museum with its magnificent collection of Dutch and Flemish 17th-century paintings, and the cathedral, which is one of the most outstanding examples of Brick Gothic architecture.

Rostock is the state’s largest city (227,000 inhabitants). Its Church of St. Mary has an astronomical clock dating from the 15th century. The city is known for its seaside resort Warnemunde and for the “Hanseatic Port Days". The medieval fortifications of Neubran-enburg (80,000 inhabitants) with the four old city gates have survived the centuries virtually intact.