The gate to island Rügen
Stralsund is principal town of the administrative district of Western Pomerania Rügen and lies in the north-east of Germany. The town is situated at Strelasund, a strait in the Baltic Sea.
In 1234 Stralsund received town rights. The historical Old Town is since 2002 listed as UNESCO‘s world cultural heritage.
Due to its nearness to the island of Rügen, Stralsund is also called gate to Rügen, to which Stralsund is connected by a bridge and dyke, both being named after the city. The town lies near to the national park Vorpommern Bodden scenery which has distinguished itself by an important biodiversity.
The town has also three ponds and a beautiful forest which all together form a protective belt around the Old Town which makes it even more enchanting.
The city centre distinguishes itself by many historical buildings. Numerous of the former businessman's houses, churches, alleys and squares were renovated and redeveloped after the German reunion. Due to its historical and architectural importance the Old Town is today listed as UNESCO world cultural heritage.
From the town harbour you can take a ferry to Hiddensee and Altefähr or you can do a tourist boat tour. The yacht harbours of the town attract each summer hundreds of tourists. The sailing boat Gorch Fock is another well-known attraction that ankers in the harbour of Stralsund.
Art lovers will be delighted by the exhibition about the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, that is staged every year from spring till autumn in the cultural church Saint Jakobi.
Stralsund is also famous for its sports event. At the Sund Swimming about 1000 participants cross the Strelasund of Altefähr at Rügen. In October you can observe or participate in the marathon that crosses the Rügen Bridge.
To celebrate and party you should visit Stralsund in June when the annual harbour party takes place.
The annual precipitation is relatively low in comparison to the country average. Most rain is falling in July.
More information: http://www.stralsundtourismus.de/en/welcome
Photo: frank_peters/Shutterstock
