Hanseatic City of Wismar
13th: Century Foundation of Wismar
The hanseatic city of Wismar came into existence in 1226 when citizens of Lübeck, then the most important city of the Hanse, established a settlement at the south-eastern end of the bay of the same name. Prince Heinrich Borwin of Schwerin had laid the foundation stone. Protected from the open sea by the island of Poel, the place was considered the perfect spot for a port.
Small City - Impressive Churches
The new town grew rapidly: 20 years after its foundation, it was granted its third parish. In 1276 a townwall was built enclosing all boroughs. It still marks off the boundaries of the historical old town. From the High Middle Ages, Wismar was an important member of the Hanse or Hanseatic League owing to the port with its connnections to Scandinavia, England and Russia. The ties with southern Sweden were particularly close and became even closer during the Thirty Years‘ War.
Wismar under Three Crowns
The year 1632 marks the beginning of the Swedish era: following its occupation in the aforementioned war, Wismar remained a Swedish fief. Paying homage to the Three Crowns, the citizens were granted nearly all their former rights. The city gained importance and it became the seat of the supreme court in charge of all Swedish-controlled territory on the European continent. Only in 1903 was Wismar returned to Germany. Numerous names and buildings recall the Swedish era, such as the „Alter Schwede“, a building already erected in 1380, but which was decorated with a „Schwedenkopf“ (a Swedish sculpture) and a pennant with the three Swedish Crowns.
WW II: Wismar in Ruins
During World War II, the city was heavily bombarded several times, which led to serious damage particularly in the „Marienviertel“ (St. Mary‘s Borough). The tower of the „Marienkirche“ (St Mary‘s Church) remains the sole survivor of the former church, after the badly damaged nave was demolished in 1960. After WW II the number of inhabitants increased from 28,000 to 44,000 due to the refugees. At the end of 2005, Wismar counted 45,000 inhabitants.
Old Town - UNESCO Heritage
Wismar's old town, together with Stralsund, was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2003. Particularly the market square bordered by richly decorated gabled houses and the three main churches, St. Georgen, St. Marien, St. Nikolai (St George‘s, St Mary‘s, St Nicolas‘s) are considered worth preserving. Equally attractive are the Town Hall in classical style, the public water fountain and the Prince‘s palace both of the Renaissance era and the historical old port.
