A European Cultural Heritage
| 
| | Everywhere in Vorpommern, the visitor will come across mighty brick buildings such as churches, monasteries, town halls and city gates. Gothic brick architecture began to develop in Vorpommern in the 12th century. Landmarks of this style can be found in the Hanseatic Cities of Greifswald and Stralsund and other cities including Anklam, Wolgast, Güstrow, and Bad Doberan. |
| 
| | The Hanseatic League has dominated the life in Vorpommern for more than 300 years. Most cities of the Baltic region were members of this medieval alliance. One expression of the citizens' wealth at the time was their intense building activity. With pioneering spirit, craftsmen, traders, farmers, monks and missionaries have built hundreds of villages, more than 50 towns and many monasteries and churches. Architectural survivors of this period are tall spires and ornamented facades still visible on many buildings. Gothic brick architecture is one of the region's great cultural achievements. Today, many of the red brickwork buildings are used for varied purposes. Museums have |
moved into town gates, impressive cathedrals have been converted into concert houses or apartments and tea houses have been established in churches. More information about the history of Gothic brick architecture can be found here. 
| | The Gothic brickwork architecture is still a visible characteristic feature in many cities of Vorpommern. In the Hanseatic city of Greifswald, you can visit the three Gothic churches - St. Mary's, St. Jacob's and St. Nicholas' Cathedral - which dominate the city skyline. In Eldena, you can admire the imposing ruined Cistercian monastery founded in 1199. The Minster of Bad Doberan, built in 1386, is very impressive. Its high Gothic structure is modelled on the Cathedral of Lübeck. In the little village Starkow, you can visit the beautiful 13th century Gothic church. In Anklam, you have to see the city gate completed in 1250. Since 1986, it has been used as a museum. After climbing the 111 steps of the tower you are rewarded with a marvellous view over the city and the River Peene. |
You can find one of the masterpieces of Gothic brickwork in Stralsund. St Mary's Church was completed in 1416 and with its 104 meters high steeple it is one of the largest Gothic buildings in Vorpommern. While in Stralsund, you should also visit the famous Guildhall dating to the 13th century. |
|
|
|
