STRALSUND

'Stralsund' () is a city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is situated at the southern coast of the Strelasund (a sound of the Baltic Sea separating the island of Rügen from the mainland). A bridge (the ''Rügendamm'') and several ferry services connect Stralsund with the ports of Rügen.
The main industries of Stralsund are shipyards, fishing, and, to an increasing degree, tourism.

Contents

History

Main sights

Transport

Gallery

External links

References

History

The town on the river Strela ("Arrow" in Slavic) was founded as Stralov/Strelov in 1234 by Slavic settlers from Rügen (Rana). Traders from Germany arrived in the following years, and the town began to grow, presenting a challenge to the powerful city of Lübeck, which burnt Stralsund down in 1249. Afterwards the town was rebuilt with a massive city wall having 11 town gates and 30 watchtowers.
In 1293 Stralsund became a member of the Hanseatic League. 300 ships flying the flag of Stralsund cruised the Baltic Sea in the 14th century.
In the 17th century Stralsund became a theatre in the Thirty Years' War. General Albrecht von Wallenstein besieged the city in 1628, until Swedish troops came to Stralsund's aid and forced the general to retreat. After the war the Peace of Westphalia (1648) handed Western Pomerania, Swedish Pomerania, and the city of Stralsund to Sweden. In the Great Northern War in 1715 Charles XII led the defence of Stralsund for a year against the united European armies. Stralsund remained under Swedish control until 1815, when it became a part of Prussia.
From 1949 until German Reunification in 1990 Stralsund was part of the German Democratic Republic.

Main sights

★ The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

★ The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square (''Alter Markt''), with the Gothic Town Hall (13th century). Behind the town hall stands the imposing ''Nikolaikirche'' (St. Nicholas' Church), built in 1270-1360. The square is surrounded by houses from different periods, including the Gothic ''Wulflamhaus'' (a 14th-century patrician house, today a restaurant), and the Baroque ''Commandantenhaus'', seat of the old Swedish command headquarters.

★ The ''Jakobikirche'' (Saint James's Church), built in mid-14th century. It was destroyed several times, e.g. by Wallenstein and in World War II.

★ The ''Marienkirche'' (Saint Mary's Church), built in 1383-1473 in Gothic style, is the largest church in Stralsund. Its octagonal tower (104 meters high) offers a magnificent view of Stralsund and the neighboring islands of Rügen and Hiddensee.

★ The ''Katharinenkloster'' (Monastery of Saint Catherine), built in the 15th century, houses two museums: a museum of history, and an oceanography museum. The ancient refectory of the monastery is one of the most spectacular Gothic interiors in Germany.[1],[2],[3]

★ The ''Johanniskloster'' (Franciscan monastery, 1254), is one of the oldest buildings in the town.[4]

Transport

Stralsund is linked to the A20 motorway (towards Berlin and Hamburg), via the B96n dual-carriageway. Other major roads include the B105 (beginning in the town centre and continuing to Rostock) and the B96 (major road to Rügen) and the B194 to Grimmen.
When travelling by air, passengers usually do so via Rostock Laage Airport with connecting flights from Munich.

Gallery

Stralsund as seen from the seaside.

Founding document from 1234.

Marienkirche (St. Mary's church).

Nikolaikirche (St. Nicolas's church).

External links

★ Satellite picture by Google Maps

★ Travel article about Stralsund from Expatica.com

★ photographs from Stralsund

★ Stralsund World Heritage

References

1. Population data