“Can you hear the clinking of coins?” Right here, in front of us, stands the Alte Münze. This unassuming building, tucked away on a quaint street, holds centuries of Rostock’s financial secrets. The Alte Münze, meaning “Old Mint,” wasn’t always a sweet shop. As early as 1394, this very spot was a hive of activity. Imagine the clang of hammers striking molten metal, as skilled mint workers transformed raw silver into glistening coins. The building we see today dates back to 1620, built upon the foundations of its predecessor. Look closely at the left gable, and you’ll spot the year etched in stone. During this period, the Alte Münze received a Renaissance makeover. The ornate portal and the gable decorations, complete with the iconic Rostock griffin weathervanes, are testaments to this era. This wasn’t just a place of commerce; it was a symbol of Rostock’s wealth and prestige during its Hanseatic heyday. However, the whimsical rococo door we see today is a later addition from around 1770. Centuries passed, and with them, the Alte Münze’s purpose evolved. While the clinking of coins might have faded, a new type of sweetness filled the air. From 1928 until the early 1990s, the Alte Münze housed a beloved confectionery shop run by Alphons Herbst, who also had a shop in Warnemünde. Today, this historical gem serves a different purpose as a bank branch. Yet, standing here, you can almost taste the lingering aroma of chocolate and marzipan, a sweet echo of the Alte Münze’s more recent past.
Heubastion
The Heubastion stands in the middle of Rostock’s city center, a silent guardian of the past. It was once part