Schwerin

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Schwerin is a town in northern Germany. It is the capital of the state Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The population as of 2005 is 97,045.

History

Schwerin is surrounded by lakes. The largest of these lakes, the Schweriner See, has an area of 60 km². In the midst of the lakes there was an Obotritic settlement as early as in the 11th century. The area was called Zuarin, and the name Schwerin is obviously 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.

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 where 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 was the capital, before the status of Schwerin was reestablished at last.

When the Bundesland of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was established in 1990, Schwerin became the capital

Sights

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-Kunstsammlunger (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)
TV Tower (close to the TV Tower there is a guyed radio mast, which is nearly twice as high!)

Museums

The Staatliches Museum Schwerin-Kunstsammlunger (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 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).

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