Historic Centre of Wismar, Wismar, Germany

Wismar is a unique representative of the Hanseatic League city type, with its Brick Gothic constructions and many patrician gable houses. It has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2002, together with the historical core of Stralsund.

Wismar has preserved its medieval harbour basin, whereas the island location of Stralsund has remained unchanged since the 13th century. To this day the unmistakable silhouette of Stralsund is characterized by the outstanding buildings of Brick Gothic architecture. The town of Wismar was originally surrounded by moats, but these were filled on the landward side. The medieval port on the north side has been largely preserved. The so-called Grube is today testimony of the old man-made canal that used to link the harbour area in the north with ponds in the south-east. The almost circular old town is now surrounded by urban development that began in the second half of the 19th century. The streets of the old town retain their medieval form; the main east-west street is the Lübsche Strasse, tracing the ancient trade route of the Via Regia, which passes through the central market place with the town hall. The overall form and the silhouette of the town have retained their historic aspect.

The centre of the old town is the huge Market Place, one of the largest in northern Germany, surrounded by elegant buildings with styles ranging from 14th-century North German Gothic to 19th-century Romanesque revival to Art Nouveau. The square's focal point is the Wasserkunst, an elaborate wrought-iron fountain imported from Holland in 1602. The northern side of the square is occupied by the Town Hall, built in neoclassical style in 1817–1819. Another notable building in the square is an ancient Gothic warehouse called Alter Schwede (The Old Swede), erected around 1380.

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User Reviews

Thomas Perch-Nielsen (4 months ago)
Very interesting museum. A visit worth.

Juan Leonardo Martínez (Leo) (6 months ago)
Well curated Museum of the history of the town.

Maryam Klidsar (9 months ago)
A must visit in Wismar. The museum was founded in 1863 and it presents 800-year history of the city, manifesting the lives of princes, citizens and craftsman. The museum includes 3 exhibitions, history of the city, the house of Henrich Schabbel, and the transparent or glass museum. It presents about 2000 artifacts such as original parts of medieval ships. In the restoration laboratory you can experience the work that is done behind the scenes in museums. It's especially interesting as it is a combination of art and science. There are numerous interactive elements in the museum which servs as an attractive educational element for both adults and children. Also there is a section you can try kimono. We took the liberty and took a few pictures with my sister. It was an amazing experience. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. The entrance fee for regular ticket is 6 € and reduced ticket such as for students and seniors is 4€. Meanwhile, the visit is free for children up to 16 years old.

Maggie Hellström (4 years ago)
Nice museum housed in a historic building. The exhibits were well planned and very interesting. Most descriptions available in both German and English. Some drawbacks: the ventilation was not so good and most of the rooms were very warm and stuffy, and the special exhibit (over archaeological finds from the construction of a pipeline) was only described in German.

Giovanna Poli (4 years ago)
Absolutly "must have to see" in Wismar. The museum is really interesting and modern. Thanks to it you can know the history of Wismar and this area. The bulding is old but inside is renovated. There is a toilet and garderobe where you can left your coat etc.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

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Historic Site of the week

Tyniec Abbey

Tyniec Benedictine abbey was founded by King Casimir the Restorer probably around 1044. Casimir decided to rebuild the newly established Kingdom of Poland, after a Pagan rebellion and a disastrous Czech raid of Duke Bretislaus I (1039). The Benedictines, invited to Tyniec by the King, were tasked with restoring order as well as cementing the position of the State and the Church. First Tyniec Abbot was Aaron, who became the Bishop of Kraków. Since there is no conclusive evidence to support the foundation date as 1040, some historians claim that the abbey was founded by Casimir the Restorer’ son, King Boleslaw II the Generous.

In the second half of the 11th century, a complex of Romanesque buildings was completed, consisting of a basilica and the abbey. In the 14th century, it was destroyed in Tatar and Czech raids, and in the 15th century it was rebuilt in Gothic style. Further remodelings took place in the 17th and 18th centuries, first in Baroque, then in Rococo style. The abbey was partly destroyed in the Swedish invasion of Poland, and soon afterwards was rebuilt, with a new library. Further destruction took place during the Bar Confederation, when Polish rebels turned the abbey into their fortress.

In 1816, Austrian authorities liquidated the abbey, and in 1821-1826, it was the seat of the Bishop of Tyniec, Grzegorz Tomasz Ziegler. The monks, however, did not return to the abbey until 1939, and in 1947, remodelling of the neglected complex was initiated. In 1968, the Church of St. Peter and Paul was once again named the seat of the abbot. The church itself consists of a Gothic presbytery and a Baroque main nave. Several altars were created by an 18th-century Italian sculptor Francesco Placidi. The church also has a late Baroque pulpit by Franciszek Jozef Mangoldt.

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