Schwerin Attractions
Schwerin, the state capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, lies just 35 kilometres from the Baltic coast near Wismar , making it a worthwhile destination for Baltic Sea holidaymakers, particularly those from western Mecklenburg and Lübeck Bay. Schwerin’s attractions are concentrated mainly around the palace. A popular focal point is the Alter Garten, the spacious square beside Lake Schwerin near the city centre, around which the most important buildings of the former residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg are grouped. The first thing to catch the eye is the palace on the island. Its present appearance is the result of a major transformation begun in 1857. Today, the palace is home to the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Some of its rooms house part of the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, which is also located at the Alter Garten. The grounds around the palace were also renovated for the 2009 Federal Horticultural Show, and have since become a popular destination and one of the city’s landmarks.
Schweriner Schloss
Photo: © Stadtmarketing Schwerin
The new building of the Staatliches Museum opened in 1882. It is renowned for its collection of medieval paintings and its important collection of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish art. The Staatliches Museum Schwerin also includes the former residential palaces in Ludwigslust and GĂĽstrow. The third striking building at the Alter Garten is the Mecklenburg State Theatre Schwerin. After its predecessor was destroyed by fire, the present building was inaugurated in 1886 as one of the most modern theatres in the world. Other architecturally and historically significant buildings worth seeing in the area include the current State Chancellery, the Old Palace and the Marstall, which stands directly on the shore of Lake Schwerin.
Schwerin’s city centre is dominated by the Pfaffenteich, a small artificial lake with a passenger ferry. At 117 metres, Schwerin Cathedral is the tallest church building in eastern Germany; construction began in the 13th century. It is considered the only true cathedral in northern Germany. The Arsenal, with its “fortress-like” architecture, bears witness to the city’s varied history on the shores of the Pfaffenteich. Visible from far away is the 136-metre television tower, completed in 1964, whose tower café is open to visitors. The Schwerin Zoo is also located nearby, close to Lake Schwerin and the beach in the Zippendorf district. Schwerin is one of the most attractive destinations for Baltic Sea holidaymakers and is always worth a visit.
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