Have you ever wondered about the story behind this tranquil bay, the Wampener Wiek? It is more than just a pretty body of water near Stralsund. The Wampener Wiek possesses secrets of nature and time.
Wampener Wiek is part of the Strelasund. The Strelasund is a sound of the Baltic Sea. It separates the island of Rügen from the Pomeranian mainland.
Imagine this area centuries ago. The West Slavic Principality of Rügen included Stralsund. In 1168, this principality became part of the Kingdom of Denmark. German settlers then populated Strale. This settlement later became Stralsund.
Stralsund grew. Prince Wizlaw I of Rügen granted Lübeck law to it in 1234. He called it Stralesund in 1240. The success of Stralsund challenged Lübeck. Lübeck burned Stralsund in 1249. The town rebuilt with a massive wall.
In 1293, Stralsund joined the Hanseatic League. Its ships sailed the Baltic Sea. The Principality of Rügen became part of the Duchy of Pomerania in 1325. Stralsund maintained its independence.
The Thirty Years’ War affected Stralsund in the 17th century. Albrecht von Wallenstein besieged it in 1628. Stralsund resisted with Danish and Swedish support. The Swedish garrison in Stralsund marked history. With the Treaty of Stettin in 1630, Stralsund became a major Swedish fort.
The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 made Stralsund part of Swedish Pomerania. Brandenburg seized it briefly. However, it reverted to Sweden. Charles XII defended Stralsund against European armies in 1715. Swedish control lasted until 1807. Napoleon Bonaparte’s army then seized it. Ferdinand von Schill’s freikorps took it in 1809. France regained it.
In 1815, the Congress of Vienna made Stralsund part of Prussia. It became the seat of a government region. From 1949 to 1990, Stralsund was part of the German Democratic Republic.
Today, Stralsund’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It showcases Hanseatic, Brick Gothic, Renaissance, and Jugendstil buildings. The Alter Markt Square stands as the heart of the old town. The Gothic city hall dominates the square. St Nicholas’ Church soars behind it.
The Wampener Wiek saw centuries of change. From Slavic settlements to Swedish forts, it mirrors Stralsund’s history. Stralsund connects to Rügen via the Strelasund Crossing. This link emphasizes the bond between the city and the island. The Wampener Wiek remains a constant. It has witnessed battles and treaties.
The Wampener Wiek today is a protected natural area. Please remember as you look out over this landscape, you are gazing at centuries of interwoven stories. You see the echoes of Hanseatic merchants. You also see Swedish soldiers, and the resilience of a city. Wampener Wiek is a natural landmark and a silent witness to Stralsund’s past.