Wismar

The Hanseatic city of Wismar became one of the Hanseatic League’s most important members. The period of Swedish rule is still reflected today in the Bürgerhaus “Alter Schwede,” which, together with the Neoclassical town hall and the Wasserkunst, adorns northern Germany’s second-largest market square, measuring 100 by 100 metres.
Since 2002, the entire city centre has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other notable attractions include the three town churches, the “Schabbellhaus” Museum of Local History, the Fürstenhof, and the replica of the so-called Poel cog ship in the Old Harbour.
The atmosphere of a prosperous city in the Hanseatic era has been brought back to life through the careful restoration of large parts of the old town. The original headquarters of Karstadt AG in Krämerstraße is an example of Germany’s later economic history. This shopping street lives up to its historic name and forms part of the appealing promenade in Wismar’s old town.
Today, the Old Harbour is a recreational harbour and a departure point for passenger boats sailing scheduled routes to Poel Island or special trips out to sea. It is, of course, also an inviting place to experience the Hanseatic spirit.



Attractions in Wismar and Mecklenburg