Parkhotel Stralsund

Ruegen

by antistar

Right across the straits of Strelasund is Germany's largest island, Ruegen. This premier tourist destination can be easily reached from Stralsund, which makes a perfect entry point to the region, or even a base for visiting the entire island (the island's capital Bergen is ugly). The Baltic sea resort of Binz can be reached by regular trains that take only an hour to reach it, or you can drive across the bridge and make your way about the wonderfully remote countryside and beaches on offer.

Stralsund on the Lakes

by antistar

Tucked behind the isle of Ruegen in the far north east of Germany, near the Polish border, Stralsund is an historic, isolated and very peaceful town wonderfully encircled on all sides by water. On the north side is the Strelasund, the body of sea water that separates the town from the Germany's largest island, Ruegen, a couple of kilometers across the water. Surrounding the town to the south, and separated from the Strelasund by a number of dams, are a number of shallow little lakes, cut across by bridges and small dams. Water surrounds the town, and water imbues everything about its history and life, as can be seen from the famous Meeresmuseum (Sea Museum) and the plentiful fish restaurants about the town.

Apart from fishing, Stralsund has had an important history that is in evidence about the town. Most recently it was a part of socialist East Germany, and while there has been much that has changed in the 16 years that have passed since re-unification, there are still very visible signs of the rot that set in during that time. The quality of the food and accommodation is top notch, but there is still plenty of old buildings around the town that look in dire need of restoration. This isn't a town in decay, though, but regeneration, and the old buildings give it a sense of place and history that many other modernised towns lack, so I wasn't at all disappointed by the look and feel of the town.

( Buildings in Decay )

Going further back in Stralsund's history we find a more glorious time, of membership of the Hanseatic League, and the wealth of trade that brought, but also a target for conquest and occupation by nearby powers. As you can see by walking around the city, the location of Stralsund, surrounded by sea and lakes, makes it a formidable fortress, but it was also a rich prize. The defence of Stralsund from one particular siege, by Wallenstein, resulted in the town becoming part of Sweden from 1648 until 1815. Stralsund dominates a key fishing region, and is a strategically valuable location, as well as a rich trading port. Currently it is home to Germany's main Baltic fishing fleet and also some major shipbuilding industries.