Best Places to See in Stralsund

After Lubeck, Stralsund is the most interesting Hanseatic town in northern Germany. During its history, it has had to defend its independence against Lubeck, Denmark, Holland and Sweden. In the Thirty Years’ War, General Wallenstein vowed that he would take the town even if it was chained to heaven – but he failed. Subsequently, Lower Pomerania stayed under Swedish rule for 200 years until 1815, when it became Prussian. Despite its turbulent history, 811 protected buildings survived in the old town, among them some truly remarkable examples of architecture.

Exploring Stralsund

The town centre of Stralsund is surrounded by water on all sides – in the north by the Strelasund bay, and on the other sides by lakes formed in the moats of the former bastions, Knieperteich and Frankenteich. All the most interesting historic monuments are easily accessible on foot from here.

Alter Markt

The old market square affords the best view of the filigree facade of the town hall, beyond which stands the vast edifice of St Michael’s church.

It is surrounded by houses from various eras, of which the two most important are the Gothic Wulflamhaus, and the Commandantenhaus, Baroque headquarters of the town’s former Swedish commandant. The Rathaus dates from the 13th century with a 14th-century façade and ground-floor arcades, and resembles the one in Lubeck.

In 1370 the Hanseatic League and the defeated Danish king signed a peace treaty here.

The Nikolaikirche, built from 1270–1360, was inspired by French Gothic cathedrals as well as the Marienkirche in Lubeck. It has rare free-standing flying buttresses in brick, which are much more unusual than in stone.

Inside there are several intriguing furnishings, for example, the statue of St Anna, an astronomical clock (1394), as well as fragments of the Novgorod stall with various fascinating scenes including one of hunting for sables.

The Baroque main altar was designed in 1798 by renowned Berlin architect and sculptor Andreas Schluter.

Kulturhistorisches Museum

The Katharinenkloster, a former 15^th century Dominican abbey, now houses two museums. Its abbey rooms provide an appropriate setting for historic exhibitions – the refectory has vaults supported by stylish columns – including copies of the famous Viking treasure from Hiddensee and a collection of 18th- and 19thcentury toys and dolls’ houses. A branch of the Museum, in Bottcherstrabe, has a collection devoted to village life, folklore and costumes of the Baltic region.

Deutsches Museum für Meereskunde und Fischerei

Highlights of this museum of the sea and fishing, based in a former Dominican convent, include 36 colourful aquariums stocked with sharks, seahorses, coral fish and giant turtles, and a 16-m (52-ft) long skeleton of a fin whale. It is also a scientific establishment researching the life of sea organisms.

Marienkirche

Dominating the Neuer Mark is the town’s largest church, St Mary’s, built in 1383–1473, with an octagonal tower (with good views of Stralsund). Star vaulting lightens the impact of the monumental 99-m (325-ft) high interior. Main attractions are Gothic frescos, carved wooden figures of saints and a late-Gothic baptismal font. The huge Baroque organ is used for concerts in summer.