Schwerin Travel Guide
A detailed destination guide for your next Germany vacation
Schwerin Overview
Schwerin is a city in northern Germany and the capital of the state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania). The population as of end of 2007 was 95,855.
With less than 100,000 inhabitants, it is the smallest capital of a German state. The city extended over time, on the western and southern shore of the Inner Schweriner from a total of twelve lakes located within the city boundaries. The starting point of urban development has been the site of today's landmark of the city, the Schwerin Castle. The castle was the principal residence of the dukes of Mecklenburg and Grand since 1918 and is the seat of the Landtag from 1990.
Where to stay in Schwerin?
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Things to See in Schwerin
The landmark of the city is the Schwerin Castle, located on an island in the lake of the same name (Schweriner See). It was for centuries the residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg and today is the seat of the Landtag (state parliament).
Schwerin Cathedral, built in 1260–1416 in Brick Gothic style.
The Alter Garten (Old Garden) square, surrounded by buildings such as the 18th-century Altes Palais (Old Palace), the neoclassical Staatliches Museum Schwerin (State Art Museum), built in 1877–1882, and the Staatstheater (City Theater), erected in 1886.
The town hall (18th century)
Schelfkirche (Saint Nicolai, originally built 1238, but rebuilt in 1713 after destruction by a storm)
Television mast Schwerin-Zippendorf
The Staatliches Museum Schwerin-Kunstsammlungen (State Art Museum) houses a remarkable collection of 15th- to 19th-century Dutch and German art, including works by Rembrandt, Cranach the Elder, and Rubens. There are also German medieval collections, including porcelain (especially Dresden (Dresden vacation rentals | Dresden travel guide) porcelain), 18th-century court paintings, and works by such modern artists as Max Liebermann.
The Technische Museum (Technical Museum), housed in the former Marstall (Royal Stables).
[ source: wikipedia ]
Maps and Driving Directions to Schwerin
Schwerin
[ source: Flickr]
Popular Points of Interest in and near Schwerin
Schwerin Cathedral
[ source: Wikipedia ]
The magnificent cathedral (Dom) overlooks the city. It is the oldest building in Schwerin, but has been rebuilt and modified throughout the centuries. Only the Paradiespforte
(the gate to paradise), which is the oldest part of the cathedral, is still preserved. The cathedral is 105 metres long. Between 1260 and 1416 it was constructed as a gothic basilica, with one nave and two side aisles. From the precious gothic interior decorations only some pieces remain: The cross altar, a bronze baptismal font from 1325, the big organ by Ladegast with its 5100 tin pipes and the triumph cross (1420), originally belonging to the Marienkirche
in Wismar, which was destroyed in 1961. Every year various concerts with international organists take place inside the cathedral. The 117 metres high steeple, however, is much younger than the organ. It was only added in the 19th century, according to plans by Georg Daniel. From its platform visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and its lakes.
The State Museum in Schwerin
On the Alter Garten
square, opposite the Palace and the State Theatre is the biggest art museum in Mecklenburg. Originally intended as the new palais for Paul Friedrich in 1837, the building was long left unfinished after the death of the grand duke. Forty years later the vision of the architect Demmler was completed when Willebrand turned the neglected building into the home of the ducal art and curiosity collection. The tall columns and monumental stone steps resemble classic antique buildings.
Today the State Museum houses one of Europe’s most extensive collections of Dutch paintings by Brueghel, Rembrandt, Rubens, Hals, Fabritius and Miers, paintings and sculptures from the 18th to 20th century by Gainsborough, Caspar David Friedrich and Corinth, a collection of works by Marcel Duchamp, the Ernst-Barlach-foundation Bölkow, contemporary art by Cage, Polke or Glöckner and varying special exhibitions.
Schwerin Castle
Schwerin's fairytale castle is the regional capital's most famous landmark and the seat of the regional parliament. Surmounted with glittering golden spires it stands on an island in Lake Schwerin. In the castle museum, visitors can tour the state rooms in all their historic grandeur then relax in the Castle Café or the orangerie with its mediterranean ambience. For centuries, Schwerin Castle was the home of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and later Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Hours: October 15 - April 14: Tuesdays to Sundays 10am - 5pm. April 15 - October 14: Mondays to Sundays 10am - 6pm.
Admission: Adults 4 €, Concessions 2.50 €.
Related Sites
We collected some useful links related to Schwerin. If you know a few more sites not listed here, or also know some insider tips or point of interests for this destination? Please share and submit your Germany travel tip. If approved it will be shown on this page!
- Homepage of Schwerin: Schwerin (official home page)
- Wikipedia: Schwerin
More about the History of Schwerin
Schwerin is surrounded by many picturesque lakes. The largest of these lakes, the Schweriner See, has an area of 60 km². In the midst of the lakes there was an Obotrite settlement as early as in the 11th century. The area was called Zuarin, and the name Schwerin is derived from that designation. In 1160 Henry the Lion defeated the Obotrites and captured Schwerin. The town was subsequently expanded into a powerful regional centre. A castle was built, and expanded upon over the centuries, on this site. It is supposedly haunted by the small, impious ghost called Petermännchen. In 1358 Schwerin became a part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg, making it the seat of the dukedom from then on. About 1500 the construction of the Schwerin castle began; it was here that the dukes resided. After the division of Mecklenburg (1621), Schwerin became the capital of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Between 1765 and 1837 the town of Ludwigslust served as the capital, until Schwerin was reinstated. After reunification in 1990 the former state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was recreated as one of the Bundesländer. Rostock was a serious contender as state capital but the decision favoured Schwerin.
[ source: wikipedia ]
What makes this Live Like a German Schwerin Travel Guide special...
This Schwerin travel guide provides you with an overview of Schwerin, Schwerin pictures, and a local travel guide that suggests many special trips, unique activities, and vacation ideas, that you can't find in a typical Germany travel guide.
Some of this information is compiled from popular and well-known sources (e.g., such as Wikipedia, Wikitravel, and great pictures from Flickr). However, what makes this Germany travel guide special is that most of the travel suggestions and insider tips are provided by local residents, property owners, and our readers, who share and submit their travel tips with us. All submissions are then editorially reviewed to ensure high quality. All this information is logically organized within this destination guide to make it easy for you to find things quickly.
In addition, the Schwerin destination guide features restaurant recommendations, restaurant reviews, where to go for grocery shopping, sports activities, getting around, cultural events and highlights, entertainment, and health related information - so you are informed for your travel to Germany, and you can learn about all the cool things you can do during your Germany vacation!
