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| | For approx. 500 years, from the middle of the 12th century to the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, the Hanseatic League has dominated and considerably influenced the European economic system and the life of every city. The trade across the Baltic Sea brought economic growth to the area. |
Before the Hanseatic League dominated the entire trade in the Baltic, it was an informal society of traders that offered better protection from robbers and pirates and helped to enforce the interests of the community. The emerging settlements of Greifswald, Stralsund, Anklam and Demmin developed into important cities in the middle of the 13th century and, within a short period of time, those settlements received the municipal law. |
Greifswald
If you are familiar with the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich, you'll recognise this Hanseatic City easily. Born in Greifswald, he is no doubt the best known painter of the German Romantic period. 150 years later, the three large churches still dominate the city skyline. The historic city centre is surrounded by small parks and the wall. A rich architectural legacy of all important epochs characterises the city centre: Baroque and Gothic brickline buildings, architectural remains from the Swedish Period, Art Nouveau and Classic period houses. Discover the mediaeval market place, St Nicholas' Cathedral, the fascinating ruined Cistercian Monastery Eldena, the famous wooden draw bridge in the fishing village of Wieck, the Pomeranian State Museum which hosts a gallery of paintings by Caspar David Friedrich, and the magnificent auditorium of the Ernst Moritz Arndt University.
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Stralsund
The beautiful Hanseatic city of Stralsund is almost completely surrounded by water. That is why the old maritime trading metropolis is called "Venice of the North". Although Stralsund suffered to a considerable extent during the war, the once powerful Hanseatic city still possesses an impressive range of historical buildings dating back up to 800 years. The old town has been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has unique historic substance, including three stately brick churches, the mediaeval market place, the Monastery of St John, the Convent of St Catherine, the Oceanographic Museum and the Guildhall with its Gothic facade which is not only the crown jewel of the city, but also the most important secular Gothic building on the entire Baltic coast. From Stralsund, you can ferry to the Isle of Hiddensee, a car-free holiday paradise, or you can visit the Isle of Rügen by crossing the Rügendamm.
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Anklam
The history of the city dates back to the 13th century. Architectural survivors are the watchtower, the gunpowder tower and the 30 meters high stone gate. In addition, two brick buildings impress the visitor: St Nicholas' and St Mary's Church. Anklam is the birthplace of Otto Lilienthal who was the first man in history to fly [1891]. The Otto Lilienthal Museum provides an insight into the life of this pioneer and tells about the history of flying in an impressive documentary .
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Demmin
Many buildings in Demmin bear witness to the town’s importance as a Hanseatic city. Places to visit are the Catholic Church, the more than 100 years old water tower and the Luisen Gate, which is the only remaining gate of the original 27 towers and 4 town gates. Furthermore, the 95.8m high tower of St. Bartholomew’s Church is very impressive as it is made completely of bricks.
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