Stralsund: UNESCO Old Town, Harbour and Maritime Museums
Accommodation in Stralsund
Stralsund combines a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town with a harbour, maritime museums and a beach resort. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether the historic urban layout, exhibitions about the seas or a visit to the beach should shape your stay. Schwerin is another city destination to explore.
Old Town and Brick Gothic architecture
Stralsund’s historic Old Town is part of the “Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar”, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 27 June 2002. Its medieval layout has remained almost unchanged to this day, including its street network, the arrangement of streets and squares, and the plot structure. These features make the Old Town’s layout itself a subject of interest on a city visit. On a guided tour, discover winding lanes, imposing churches and impressive Brick Gothic architecture.
One particular house offers another glimpse into the city’s history: the Museum House was built around 1320 as a merchant’s house and is one of Stralsund’s oldest houses. If you are interested in the development of the historic Old Town, you can look not only at the medieval urban layout but also at a specific building.
Maritime museums with different areas of focus
Since 1951, the MEERESMUSEUM has been housed in the former St. Catherine’s Dominican Monastery in the Old Town. Its 31 aquariums include the “Caribbean Reef”, with 800,000 litres of water. The OZEANEUM has a different focus: its exhibitions and 50 aquariums take visitors on a journey through the northern seas; the “Sea for Children” is also part of the offering. The aquariums therefore offer different points of interest when deciding which museum topics appeal to you most.
The OZEANEUM is also home to one of the world’s largest whale exhibitions, with life-size models of marine mammals. These include a 26-metre-long blue whale. The roof terrace has an enclosure for Humboldt penguins, with panoramic views of the silhouette of Stralsund, a UNESCO World Heritage city. The whale exhibition, aquariums and penguin enclosure each offer a different highlight for visitors interested in marine life.
Harbour, water and excursions
Harbour cruises offer unobstructed views across the Strelasund, of Stralsund’s Old Town and of the nearby coast of Rügen. They offer a way to see the city from the water, too. Daily ferry services run from Stralsund harbour to all three harbours on the island of Hiddensee. If you want to include a trip to the island in your travel plans, Stralsund offers a specific maritime starting point.
A beach visit in Stralsund
Stralsund’s cityscape also includes the beach resort, with 20,000 m² of fine sandy beach. It can be reached on bus route 4, getting off at the “Klinikum am Sund” stop. Alongside the Old Town, museums and harbour, a beach visit is another option to consider when planning your trip. The historic and maritime attractions, as well as the beach resort, offer different reasons to consider Stralsund as a destination.
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