A chilling tale whispers from this unassuming stone. This is the Barnekow-Stein a silent witness to a dark chapter in Pomeranian history. It stands here a somber reminder of the conflict between the Pomeranian dukes and the Hanseatic city of Stralsund.
The Barnekow-Stein marks a tragic event. In the 15th century tensions ran high. Stralsund’s mayor Otto Fuge publicly accused Duke Wartislav IX of treachery. Wartislav sent his landvogt Raven Barnekow to observe. Fuge’s accusations escalated. Barnekow defended the Duke. He called Fuge a liar. He accused Fuge of treason.
This bold act led to Barnekow’s arrest and trial. He and his companions faced a brutal death sentence. They were broken on the wheel. This gruesome punishment was common at that time. Barnekow’s body was left on the wheel.
The situation only changed when Fuge’s rule ended. The people of Stralsund rebelled and expelled Fuge and his supporters. The Duke then ordered Barnekow’s remains retrieved. They were brought to Greifswald’s Nikolaikirche. As a grim penance Stralsund’s citizens were forced to carry the body. They were only allowed one rest stop.
This place you see right here marks that halfway point. This humble stone the Barnekow-Stein serves as a memorial. It commemorates a conflict. It also highlights the harsh realities of 15th-century justice. The Barnekow-Stein is a small stone with a big story. A story of power betrayal and ultimately a gruesome death. Remember this story when you see the Barnekow-Stein. It is a story of a man who stood for his Duke. His sacrifice is not forgotten. The Barnekow-Stein ensures that.