Wismar: What makes the city on the Baltic Sea so special

A piece of Sweden in the middle of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , a fresh sea breeze, a fine sandy beach, an idyllic old town: Wismar has all this to offer.

Furthermore, Wismar has a very special atmosphere, as the city looks back on a turbulent history that has left its mark to this day: In 1632, Wismar was occupied by Swedish troops and eventually officially annexed to Sweden. It wasn't until 1903 that Wismar finally became part of Mecklenburg again.

Anyone strolling through the city can still see the influence of the "Swedish era." The so-called "Swedish Heads" greet you at the old harbor, and on the market square, you'll find the brick "Alter Schwede" (Old Swede) building and the former Swedish Commandant's House.

But it's not just the Swedish flair that makes Wismar so special. Read what awaits you in the Hanseatic city here:

The absolute highlight of Wismar is the Old Town. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Almost all of the city's major sights are within walking distance.

Colorful gabled houses line the huge market square, with the imposing fountain in the center, which served as a drinking water source for the locals for centuries. The "Alte Schwede" (Old Swede), one of the city's oldest town houses, is also located here. A restaurant serving delicious fish dishes has now moved into the building.

Small, cobblestone alleys branch off from the market square, leading past boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. The Grube, a stream that once supplied water to the local population, flows through the heart of the old town. At the end of the Grube is the red vaulted house, a listed half-timbered building.

Finally, numerous churches also shape the cityscape. Most notably, St. Mary's Church and St. Nicholas' Church in the center of the old town. Right next to St. Nicholas' Church, the historic Pig Bridge crosses the Pit. Bronze pigs now sit enthroned on its pilings. Don't forget to pet the pigs as you pass by – according to a myth, this brings good luck.

The market square in Wismar is one of the most important sights.

Source: IMAGO/Roland Hartig

The harbor is just as defining of Wismar as the old town. Here, you can experience the city's long maritime tradition firsthand. In addition to passenger ships, a historic Hanseatic cog is moored at the harbor, local fish is sold, and seagulls circle the sky.

Directly at the entrance to the old harbor is the so-called tree house. This isn't a tree house in the traditional sense, but rather an old brick building. The building owes its name to the "Bohmschlütern" (Bohmslueters), employees of the harbor administration who used to live in the house and lock the harbor in times of danger and at night.

Directly in front of the treehouse, you'll find Wismar's landmark, the "Wismar Swedish Heads." These are two colorfully painted heads on busts, commemorating the time when Wismar was occupied by the Swedes.

The Swedish heads in front of the tree house are the landmark of Wismar.

Source: IMAGO/Zoonar

Wismar is located directly on the Baltic Sea – you definitely shouldn't miss out on the fresh sea air! There are beautiful beaches in the immediate vicinity of the city. The closest is Wendorf Beach in the Wismar district of the same name. Here, a gently sloping sandy beach and a pier lead into the sea. At 330 meters long, it is the longest pier on the Mecklenburg Baltic coast.

About 25 kilometers from Wismar lies Boltenhagen , where you'll find a five-kilometer-long sandy beach, complete with beach chairs. A two-kilometer-long wooden dune promenade runs parallel to the coast.

If you're looking for even more nature and a Baltic Sea feel, take a trip to the island of Poel . It's about a 20-minute drive from Wismar. The island is still considered an insider tip on the Baltic Sea, so you can stroll along the beach and enjoy nature without any annoying crowds.

A visit to Wismar can be combined with a trip to the beach.

Source: IMAGO/Fotografie73

In addition to the Baltic Sea and the beautiful old town, Wismar also has several exciting museums to discover. Those interested in learning more about the city's history should visit the City History Museum. It's located in the Schabbellhaus, which, with its red bricks and sandstone elements, is impressive even from the outside.

Another piece of city history can be found at the entrance to the Old Harbor. There stands the Water Gate, the last of Wismar's five city gates. Built around 1450, it was the only gate leading from the harbor into the city. Krämerstraße also boasts a historic building: Rudolph Karstadt opened his first store in 1881 in the four-story Karstadt headquarters.

Also worth a visit is the phanTechnikum, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Museum of Technology. Across 3,500 square meters of exhibition space, you can learn fascinating facts about the laws of nature and the history of technology.

A relic from times gone by: The Water Gate of Wismar.

Source: IMAGO/Joko

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