Pomeranian Adventure Tour -- Stralsund

Nights number two and three on our tour were spent in Stralsund, a coastal city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Like many of the other cities we visited to this point, Stralsund was a member of the Hanseatic League. In the 14th century Stralsund had 300 ships flying its flag on the Baltic Sea.

In the Thirty Years' War, Stralsund was an active theatre of conflict. After the war the Peace of Westphalia awarded Stralsund to Sweden, along with Western Pomerania and Swedish Pomerania. Stralsund remained under Swedish control until 1815, when it became part of Prussia.

From 1949 until German reunification in 1990, Stralsund was part of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

The main industries of Stralsund are shipyards, fishing, and, to an increasing degree, tourism.

The central part of Stralsund includes the Old Market Square (Alter Markt), with a 13th century Gothic Town Hall. Near the town hall stands Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas' Church), built in 1270-1360. The square is surrounded by houses from different periods.  Other churches in Stralsund include Jakobikirche (St. Jacob's Church), built in mid-14th century. It was destroyed several times, including World War II; the Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church), built in 1383-1473 in Gothic style; Katharinenkloster (Monastery of St. Catherine), built in the 15th century; and, Johanniskloster, a Franciscan monastery built in 1254.

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

The Royal Hotel Stralsund, our home for two nights

Glass door in hotel. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Stralsund train station

Memorial honoring the war refugees from West Prussia, Pomerania, Silesia, etc.

Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church) -- the largest church in Stralsund (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Front of Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Sheila Watts in Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Front of Marienkirche in Stralsund (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Entrance to Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Marienkirche from distance (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Interior of Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Chancel area of Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Sheila Watts & Beth Marshall climbing tower in Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

More steps to climb. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Last stop before the top. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Arriving at the top of the tower of Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

View from the top of tower at Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

View of St. Nikolai and the Rathaus in the background. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

View of St. Jacobi. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)

Interior of Marienkirche is under restoration (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Memorials to individuals on stone floor of Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Altar area of Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Chandelier in Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Pulpit in Marienkirche (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Stralsund Rathaus (Town Hall) built in 13th century -- located on Alter Markt (Old Market Square) (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Three-dimensional relief map of Stralsund, outside Rathaus (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Buildings on Alter Markt across from the Rathaus (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

Buildings along street in Stralsund (Photo courtesy of the Bakers)

One of the three bells in the tower of Marienkirche. (Photo courtesy of the Marshalls)