Page 483 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

MECKLENBURG–L OWER POMER ANIA  481

0 Stralsund VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

Road map E1. * 62,000.
After Lübeck, Stralsund is the most interesting Hanseatic n Alter Markt 9 (03831-246 90).
town in northern Germany. During its history, it has had to ∑ stralsundtourismus.de
defend its independence against Lübeck, Denmark, Holland _ Sundschwimmen (Jul);
and Sweden. In the Thirty Years’ War, General Wallenstein Wallenstein-Tage (Jul); Stralsunder
Segelwoche (Jun).
vowed that he would take the town even if it was chained to
heaven – but he failed. Subsequently, Lower Pomerania Transport
£
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 E Deutsches Meeresmuseum
remarkable examples of architecture. Katharinenberg 14. Tel (03831) 265
0210. Open Jun–Sep 10am–6pm
Danish king signed a daily; Oct–May: 10am–5pm daily.
peace treaty here. Closed 24 & 31 Dec. &
The Nikolaikirche, built Highlights of this museum of the
from 1270–1360, was sea, based in a former Dominican
inspired by French convent and the Ozeanum
Gothic cathedrals as building, include almost 100
well as the Marienkirche aquariums stocked with sharks,
in Lübeck. It has rare seahorses, coral fish and giant
free-standing flying turtles, and a 16-m (52-ft) long
buttresses in brick, skeleton of a fin whale. It is also a
which are much more scientific establishment research-
unusual than in stone. ing the life of sea organisms.
Inside there are several
The Rathaus with its small turrets intriguing furnishings, R Marienkirche
for example, the statue Tower Open 10am–noon & 2–4pm
Exploring Stralsund of St Anna (around 1290), an Mon–Fri, 10am–noon Sat. Organ
The town centre of Stralsund astrono mical clock (1394), and concerts: summer: 11am Mon–Wed &
is surrounded by water on all fragments of the Novgorod stall Fri–Sun. &
sides – in the north by the with various fascinating scenes, Dominating the Neuer Mark is
Strelasund bay, and on the other including one of hunting for the town’s largest church, St
sides by lakes formed in the sables. The Baroque main altar Mary’s, built in 1383–1473, with
moats of the former bastions, was designed in 1798 by an octagonal tower (with good
Knieperteich and Frankenteich. renowned Berlin architect and views of Stralsund). Star vaulting
All the most interesting sculptor Andreas Schlüter. lightens the impact of the
historic monuments are monumental 99-m (325-ft) high
easily accessible on E Kulturhisto risches interior. Main attractions are
foot from here. Museum Gothic frescoes, carved wooden
Mönchstraße 25/27. figures of saints and a late-Gothic
P Alter Markt Tel (0381) 12 87 90. font. The huge Baroque organ is
The old market Open Feb–Nov: used for concerts in summer.
square affords the 10am–5pm daily. &
best view of the The Katharinen klos-
filigree façade of the Portal of the Nikolaikirche ter, a former 15th-
town hall, beyond century Dominican
which stands the vast abbey, now houses
edifice of St Michael’s church. two museums. Its abbey rooms
It is surrounded by houses provide an appropriate setting
from various eras, of which the for historic exhibitions – the
two most important are the refectory has vaults supported
Gothic Wulflamhaus, and the by stylish columns – including
Commandantenhaus, Baroque copies of the famous Viking
headquarters of the town’s treasure from Hiddensee and a
former Swedish commandant. collection of 18th- and
The Rathaus dates from the 13th 19th-century toys and dolls’
century with a 14th-century houses. A branch of the
façade and ground-floor Muse um, in Böttcherstrasse,
arcades, and resembles the one has a collection devoted
in Lübeck. In 1370 the Hanseatic to village life, folklore and Marienkirche with its dominant,
League and the defeated costumes of the Baltic region. octagonal tower

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