Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar

The Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar are two Hanseatic League port towns on Germany’s Baltic coast notable for their Brick Gothic architecture. Both towns retain medieval urban layouts with harbours, market squares and monumental churches.

In Stralsund the old harbour, the timber-framed houses and the churches such as St. Nicholas contribute to a coherent medieval port ensemble. Wismar’s market square is lined by a historic town hall and merchants’ houses that reflect its commercial importance in the Hanseatic period.

Both centres prospered from North Sea and Baltic trade in the late medieval and early modern centuries; their survival of many medieval fabric elements is due to continuous use and later restoration rather than wholesale modern redevelopment. The towns illustrate civic and mercantile architecture of northern Europe.

Stralsund and Wismar lie on the Baltic coast in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with Stralsund close to the island of Rügen and Wismar west along the coast, each occupying a harbour at the sea.

• Principal focal points: Both towns are compact and dominated by Brick Gothic civic and ecclesiastical buildings; harbourfronts and market squares are the principal focal points for visits.

What to See #

• Stralsund Old Harbour and Brick Gothic churches: A Hanseatic port town with a well-preserved medieval harbourfront and Brick Gothic churches lining the old quay.
• Wismar Market Square and St. George's Church: The central market square and town hall ensemble of the other town, with surrounding merchants' houses and a medieval church that marks the historic core.