Wismar is capital town of the administrative district of Northwest-Mecklenburg and lies in the Wismar Bay at the Baltic Sea.

Wismar’s most important attractions are of course situated in the Old Town which is since 2002 similar as the city of Stralsund, listed as UNESCO’s world cultural heritage. Wismar’s market square is one of the biggest in North Germany. It is exactly 100 m x 100 m. Here is located the landmark of the town, the Wismar Water Art, built in 1602. Further places worth seeing around the market square are the classicistic city hall, built in 1819 and the town house „Alter Schwede“. In the „Schabbellhaus“ is accommodated the museum of Wismar.

Nearby the market square are many renovated streets full of old medieval gabled houses. Behind the city hall is a pelican crossing where the parent company of Germany’s famous department store chain Karstadt has its office to which a small museum is attached.

The historical harbour, Wismar’s last preserved town gate and the old water tower are also attractions worth seeing.

To today’s time testify the area outside the Old Town. The area of the 2002 land horticultural show and the animal park are two perfect places for enjoying nature. If you want to go a little further and be inspired by nature, then you should pay a visit to the technical land museum.

Moreover, the harbours of the town are quite an attraction. The seaport was mentioned for the first time in documents as early as in 1211. Then there are a cruise terminal and an historical old harbour which is economically not used any more but a place where festivals are staged. Some very nice restaurants you can find there too. Last but not least, Wismar has also a yacht harbour. Situated near the city centre it has berths for yachts of every size and a water hiking resting place.

Events

In Wismar are staged many of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern festival performances. In church Georgenkirche and Heiligen Geist Kirche for example concerts take place and open air concerts are staged next to the historical store houses.

Beneath the city hall a permanent exhibition displays the town‘s history.

More information: http://www.wismar.de/Town_Portrait_/index.phtml?mNavID=1800.4&La=2

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