Why is Schwerin so special? Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, holds a captivating history. It’s a city known for its beautiful lakes and landmark castle. We are standing in Dortmund but let’s journey in our minds to Schwerin.
Schwerin was first mentioned in 1018 as Zuarina. It was a settlement of the Slavic Obotrite. The name Schwerin comes from this designation. In 1160, Henry the Lion defeated the Obotrites. He captured Schwerin. The town then expanded into a regional center.
The Dukes of Mecklenburg resided in Schwerin for centuries. Schwerin became part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg in 1358. This made it the seat of the duchy. The construction of Schwerin Palace began around 1500. It served as a residence for the dukes. Schwerin became the capital of Mecklenburg-Schwerin after the division of Mecklenburg in 1621.
From 1765 to 1837, Ludwigslust was the capital. Schwerin was later reinstated. Many Schwerin residents moved to the United States in the mid-1800s. Many went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Today, Milwaukee and Schwerin are sister cities.
After 1918, the Grand Duke abdicated during the German Revolution. Schwerin then became the capital of the Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Schwerin was bombed during World War II. The city was taken by United States troops on May 2, 1945. It was later handed over to Soviet forces.
Schwerin was in the Soviet Occupation Zone. This zone became the German Democratic Republic. Schwerin served as the capital of the Schwerin district from 1952. This lasted until 1990.
The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was recreated after reunification in 1990. Rostock was a contender for state capital. But the decision favored Schwerin.
Schwerin has a population of about 95,000. It is the smallest state capital in Germany. Schwerin was an industrial city known for its leather products in the East German era. The city’s population declined after German Reunification. It fell below 100,000 in 2000. Schwerin is the only state capital without universities.
Schwerin is enclosed by lakes. The largest is Lake Schwerin. It covers an area of 60 km2. There are twelve lakes within Schwerin’s city limits. Castle Island sits between Lake Schwerin and Castle Lake.
The landmark of Schwerin is Schwerin Palace. It is on an island in Lake Schwerin. It was the residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg. Today, it is the seat of the state parliament. Schwerin Cathedral was built in 1260–1416. It has a Brick Gothic style.
The Alter Garten is surrounded by buildings. These include the Altes Palais and the Staatliches Museum Schwerin. The Staatstheater was erected in 1886. The city hall dates to the 18th century. The Schelfkirche was rebuilt in 1713 after a storm.
The Staatliches Museum Schwerin houses art collections. These include 17th-century Dutch paintings. They also feature German art from medieval and renaissance masters.
Schwerin offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Its rich past and stunning architecture make it a unique destination. As we conclude our story about Schwerin, may your imagination transport you there. Picture the palace, the lakes and the echoes of history.