Stages: 16 days
In our hectic times, more and more people are looking for heavenly peace and divine inspiration. They find it in the liberating expanse of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Stages: 16 days
In our hectic times, more and more people are looking for heavenly peace and divine inspiration. They find it in the liberating expanse of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The Via Baltica, the Baltic Way of St. James pilgrims, stretches from the Baltic countries via Usedom, Rostock, Wismar, Lübeck, Hamburg to Bremen and Osnabrück and then continues as the Westphalian Way to Cologne. There it connects with the old pilgrimage routes through Belgium and France to Spain with the destination Santiago de Compostela.
The section through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern leads over 16 stages from Swinoujscie in Poland to the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. Everywhere one encounters signs of former godliness. Almost every village has a solid church, massive steeples define the silhouette of the towns, and even the once lofty monasteries bear witness to the faith in God of their builders.
In the carefully restored Hanseatic towns, the history of the country comes alive again. The University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald is the first on the way and already delights its guests at the city limits with the Eldena monastery ruins. In the Hanseatic city of Rostock, thick walls and deep moats bear witness to the fortified nature of the once mighty Hanseatic metropolis. The fact that the Middle Ages are alive becomes clear to everyone at the latest in the third Hanseatic city along the way. The layout of the Hanseatic City of Wismar, crowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. And as before, three sky-high brick cathedrals tower over the city.
Outside the cities, one usually wanders far away from major roads through forests and meadows, rests by small lakes and catches a glimpse of the Baltic Sea in the distance. But the rural idyll also offers a lot more: In Lassaner Winkel, for example, pilgrims can discover more than 300 different medicinal and spice plants in the Papendorf scent and touch garden, take time out with a sound massage or experience old craftsmanship in the café of a weaving workshop.
The practice of hospitality, which is common in Spain, is also practiced on the northern German route in many parishes. Prerequisite is the presentation of the pilgrim's letter, which is issued at some point for a small fee or donation by all St. James societies.
The town hall of Greifswald dates back to the 14th century and is located in the center of the Hanseatic City of Greifswald. The tourist information of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald is located in the arcades of the town hall.
Since 1211, the Old Harbour has largely preserved its harbour basin in its location and design. Moreover, the harbour continues to be important as a mooring for excursion steamers, for leisure captains and traditional ships such as the 'Kogge' and the 'Atalanta'.
The ramparts were built in 1270 for the city defense. The city wall, formerly more than 3 km long, with many towers and cradle houses and 22 gates at widely varying levels (30 m), was later transformed into a park.
Cultural History Museum in the Holy Cross Monastery
Klosterhof, 18055 Rostock
The former Cistercian nunnery was founded in 1270 by the Danish Queen Margaret. The monastery was named after a splinter from the cross of Jesus Christ. Today, the former monastery houses the Museum of Cultural History, one of the largest and most important collections of cultural and art history in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Eldena Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery, originally named Hilda Abbey. Only ruins survive of the monastery, which was founded in 1199 and is well known as a frequent subject of Caspar David Friedrich's paintings.
St. Mary's is Rostock's largest and most important church, first mentioned in a document in 1232. Transept and nave of the cruciform basilica are of equal length and emphasize the massive and closed impression. The church has precious furnishings, such as the oldest astronomical clock in northern Germany from 1472, which functions with original parts, and a bronze baptismal fountain from 1290.
Greifswald Cathedral is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Northern Germany. With its 100 m high tower it towers above the Hanseatic city of Greifswald. From its tower gallery you have an impressive view as far as the island of Rügen.
Today’s manor house in Wrangelsburg was built around 1880. It is idyllically located and has a landscape park directly on the castle lake. Many romantic hiking trails lead into the forest from here.
The Caspar David Friedrich Centre was opened in 2004 in the old soap factory in remembrance of the great artist and the most famous son of the city of Greifswald. It was extended in 2011 to include the entire former residential and business premises of the Friedrich family. The centre is an exhibition and document space as well as a research centre.
The Salt Museum presents the history of salt extraction from the brine of Sülz, the spa and bathing history and shows some other trades of the city. In two special exhibition rooms we show exhibitions of a completely different kind four to five times a year. Children and adults are especially enthusiastic about riding the moor train.
St. Nicholas' was the church of sailors and navigators. Its 37-metre-high nave is the fourth highest nave in Germany. Construction of the present church began in the 14th century.
The village church Kölzow is one of the most beautiful and also oldest fieldstone churches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The construction of the village church Kölzow was started in 1205 by order of the local locator family von der Lühe, who also held the church patronage during the time of their ownership of the Kölzow estate.
Tourist information and accommodation service - arrangement of vacation accommodation, organization of guided walks and city tours, information about events, etc.
The town of Usedom is an extremely charming town in the south of the Island of Usedom. It is very rich in history. The Anklamer Tor with the Heimatstube, the St. Mary's Church, the town hall, the castle hill invite our guests to stay.
In Wismar you will find the right accommodation and suitable variety, whether museums, exhibitions, concerts, a variety of cafes and restaurants with outdoor terraces, colorful hustle and bustle on the boulevard, the maritime setting at the Old Port, all this makes Wismar a suitable destination on the Baltic coast. Wismar Tourist Information is open all year round for visitors to the city. Information, guided tours, souvenirs, advice on accommodation and much more is offered to the guest.
Since 2014, the tourist information is located in the ensemble of buildings in Lübsche Straße 23.
The town hall of Greifswald dates back to the 14th century and is located in the center of the Hanseatic City of Greifswald. The tourist information of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald is located in the arcades of the town hall.
Since 1211, the Old Harbour has largely preserved its harbour basin in its location and design. Moreover, the harbour continues to be important as a mooring for excursion steamers, for leisure captains and traditional ships such as the 'Kogge' and the 'Atalanta'.
The ramparts were built in 1270 for the city defense. The city wall, formerly more than 3 km long, with many towers and cradle houses and 22 gates at widely varying levels (30 m), was later transformed into a park.
Cultural History Museum in the Holy Cross Monastery
Klosterhof, 18055 Rostock
The former Cistercian nunnery was founded in 1270 by the Danish Queen Margaret. The monastery was named after a splinter from the cross of Jesus Christ. Today, the former monastery houses the Museum of Cultural History, one of the largest and most important collections of cultural and art history in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Eldena Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery, originally named Hilda Abbey. Only ruins survive of the monastery, which was founded in 1199 and is well known as a frequent subject of Caspar David Friedrich's paintings.
St. Mary's is Rostock's largest and most important church, first mentioned in a document in 1232. Transept and nave of the cruciform basilica are of equal length and emphasize the massive and closed impression. The church has precious furnishings, such as the oldest astronomical clock in northern Germany from 1472, which functions with original parts, and a bronze baptismal fountain from 1290.
Greifswald Cathedral is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Northern Germany. With its 100 m high tower it towers above the Hanseatic city of Greifswald. From its tower gallery you have an impressive view as far as the island of Rügen.
Today’s manor house in Wrangelsburg was built around 1880. It is idyllically located and has a landscape park directly on the castle lake. Many romantic hiking trails lead into the forest from here.
The Caspar David Friedrich Centre was opened in 2004 in the old soap factory in remembrance of the great artist and the most famous son of the city of Greifswald. It was extended in 2011 to include the entire former residential and business premises of the Friedrich family. The centre is an exhibition and document space as well as a research centre.
The Salt Museum presents the history of salt extraction from the brine of Sülz, the spa and bathing history and shows some other trades of the city. In two special exhibition rooms we show exhibitions of a completely different kind four to five times a year. Children and adults are especially enthusiastic about riding the moor train.
St. Nicholas' was the church of sailors and navigators. Its 37-metre-high nave is the fourth highest nave in Germany. Construction of the present church began in the 14th century.
The village church Kölzow is one of the most beautiful and also oldest fieldstone churches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The construction of the village church Kölzow was started in 1205 by order of the local locator family von der Lühe, who also held the church patronage during the time of their ownership of the Kölzow estate.
Tourist information and accommodation service - arrangement of vacation accommodation, organization of guided walks and city tours, information about events, etc.
The town of Usedom is an extremely charming town in the south of the Island of Usedom. It is very rich in history. The Anklamer Tor with the Heimatstube, the St. Mary's Church, the town hall, the castle hill invite our guests to stay.
In Wismar you will find the right accommodation and suitable variety, whether museums, exhibitions, concerts, a variety of cafes and restaurants with outdoor terraces, colorful hustle and bustle on the boulevard, the maritime setting at the Old Port, all this makes Wismar a suitable destination on the Baltic coast. Wismar Tourist Information is open all year round for visitors to the city. Information, guided tours, souvenirs, advice on accommodation and much more is offered to the guest.
Since 2014, the tourist information is located in the ensemble of buildings in Lübsche Straße 23.
