Schwerin - a quiet and cozy town, the administrative center of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is located in the continental part of the federal land, in the middle of the picturesque system of lakes, the largest of which is the Schweriner-see.
From the 12th to the 17th century, and from the 19th century onwards, Schwerin is the residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the capital of the duchy of the same name. It is not surprising that during such years of the Dukes' reign, an amazing palace, a theater and many beautiful buildings were built in the city, some of which have survived to this day.
The tourist office of Schwerin is located at: Schwerin, Am Markt 14; tel .: 59252-50, fax: 59252-53.
How to get to Schwerin
The nearest international airport is in Hamburg and Rostock.
Within the city are several railway stations and the main station Schwerin (Schwerin Hbf). From the main station of Hamburg to Schwerin you can get on the Regional Express (RE) train, going to Rostock; in the way 1 hour 20 minutes. Alternatively, take the Intercity (IC) train that runs from Karlsruhe - Frankfurt am Main - Hamburg - Schwerin - Rostock - Stralsund. Travel time from Hamburg in this case will be reduced to 50 minutes.
The travel time from Rostock to Schwerin, regardless of the type of train, takes 1 hour on a short journey. Also regional express trains (RE) connect the city with Berlin, Wismar and Ludwigslust. In addition, local trains Ostseeland Verkehr (OLA) connect Schwerin with small, nearby Parchim, Krivits, Gadebusch and Rena.
The bus station of Schwerin is located on the same square (Grunthalplatz) as the railway station. But this is not the best way to travel on the federal land: long-distance bus service is poorly developed.
The group of lakes on which the city is located is part of the system of inland waterways of Germany. Schwerin Lake in the south through the twenty-kilometer Störkanal connects with the Elde River and the Elde-Muritz Canal, which in the west allows access to the Elbe, and in the east to the Mueritz and the Havel River. Cruise ships are often sent from the city to day trips.
Search for tickets to the city of Hamburg (the nearest a / p to Schwerin)
Transport
Trams (four lines), buses (fourteen routes) and one ferry line along the Pfaffentaichs Lake serve as the public transport of the city. The city center is small enough and easy to get around on foot. At the Town Hall you can take a tourist tram.
Kitchen and restaurants in Schwerin
It is inexpensive to have a snack in the numerous fast foods located in the shopping center Schlosspark and the streets adjacent to it. In the building of the railway station is located McDonald's. In the central part of the city on the main tourist routes there are many cafes and restaurants. For example, on the pedestrian street Mecklenburgstrasse or the market square Am Markt from Pushkinstraße (connected by an archway to the right of the town hall).
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Schwerin
In the first place, of course, Schwerin Schloss, located at 19063 Schwerin, Lennestrasse 1. Built in the mid-19th century by architect Demler for the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the castle provides a picturesque example of eclecticism, a mixture of Byzantine style, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. In the part of the castle there is a lantag (parliament) of the federal land, the rest is occupied by a museum and a greenhouse. Other buildings of the architect Demler: Arsenal, a house on Mecklenburgstrasse 1, a town hall, a stable, a building of the state chancery.
Other sights: a monument to the famous archaeologist, discoverer of Troy, Henry Schliemann on the eastern side of Lake Pfaffentaichs; The grinding mill of the 18th century (Schleifmuhle), which still functions and invites you for 2 EUR to familiarize yourself with the granite grinding system (address: 19061 Schwerin, Schleifmuhlenweg 1, tel .: (0385) 56 27 51, working hours: April-November, Fri-Sun 10: 00-17: 00).
Schwerin is also famous for its many beautiful gardens and parks .One of the most interesting - the Palace Garden (Der Schlossgarten), located to the south of the castle .Here you can see a drawbridge with cast iron handrails, a statue of the Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II, numerous sculptures located around Permozero, a garden pavilion of the palace .The English Garden adjoins the Palace Garden .Another pretty garden, the Old Garden (Alter Garten), is located in front of the Schwerin Castle closer to the center .On the territory of the garden today there are an art museum, a drama theater, an old palace and a building of the state chancery .
Children will certainly enjoy the Schoerin Zoological Garden (Zoologischer Garten Schwerin), which contains more than 120 species of animals. The zoo is located in the northern part of the city, on a strip of land surrounded by the Schwerin lake in the east, Lake Faulen in the west and Lake Ochtorfersk in the south. Address: Besuchereingang: Crivitzer Chaussee; tel .: 0385 39551-0. Working hours: October-February 10: 00-15: 00; March 10: 00-16: 00; April-October - weekdays 9: 00-17: 00, the weekend 9: 00-18: 00. Entrance is 6 EUR.
The churches of the city are noteworthy:
- The Schweriner Dom cathedral, located at 19055 Schwerin, Am Dom 4; tel .: 0385 565014, 0385 565824. The main cathedral of the city, built from 1260 to 1416, is located in the city center, next to the market square (Am Markt). In the cathedral, organ concerts are often held, you can see the burials of the members of the Grand Ducal family.
- Shelf Church of St. Nikolay (Schelfkirche, St. Nikolai) is located at: 19055 Schwerin, Puschkinstraße 2; tel .: 0385 569857, 0385 5814766. Located at the beginning of the 18th century in the place of the ancient church of St. Nicholas is the only baroque church in the city without a mixture of style. It is also a burial vault for the members of the Grand Ducal family. Interest is represented by the organ Frize and the altar picture of Gaston Lente.
- The Gothic church of Paul (Paulskirche) on a hill in the western part of the city center, near the railway station. Address: 19053 Schwerin, Am Packhof 9; tel .: 0385 557660. The organ of the church and the altar triptych are interesting.
If you have time, you should go to the island of Kaninhenverder (Kaninchenwerder) - a wooded island in the middle of the Schwerin lake, a popular place for ecological excursions. Or to the Zippendorfer Strand on the southern shore of Lake Schwerin.
Museums of Schwerin
Observatory and planetarium (Sternwarte und Planetarium). Address: 19061 Schwerin, Weinbergstrasse 17, tel .: 0385 512844.
The Schleswig-Holstein-Haus is the former residence of the bishop of Schwerin. Address: 19055 Schwerin, Puschkinstraße 12, phone: 0385 5555-24. Working hours: Mon-Sun 10: 00-18: 00.
The museum of the castle (Schlossmuseum) with an exhibition dedicated to the names of the great Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Entrance to the museum from the south side of the castle. Address: 19063 Schwerin, Lennestrasse 1.
The State Art Museum of Schwerin (Staatliches Museum Schwerin) is located next to the dramatic theater, contains a remarkable collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings of the 17th century. Address: 19055 Schwerin, Alter Garten 3.
Schwerin Technical Land Museum (Technisches Landesmuseum Schwerin) presents historical mechanisms in the field of engineering, transport and energy. Address: Schwerin, Werdersraße 124, phone: 0385 512878. Working hours: Tue-Sun 10: 00-17: 00. Entrance 3 EUR.
The open-air museum Schwerin-Muss (Freilichtmuseum Schwerin-Mueß).
Mecklenburg archaeological land museum (Archäologisches Landesmuseum Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). Address: Schwerin, Johannes-Stelling-Straße 9-11.
Photo of Schwerin (1)