Wismar Travel Guide

  Market Square in Wismar
by CatherineReichardt
  • Market Square in Wismar
      Market Square in Wismar
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Serene canalside scene in Wismar
      Serene canalside scene in Wismar
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Canal running by the Church of St Nikolai
      Canal running by the Church of St...
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Wasserkunst fountain, Market Square, Wismar
      Wasserkunst fountain, Market Square,...
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Mrs B and
      Mrs B and "friend"
    by bonio

Explore Wismar

Things to Do  

Wismar's gigantic market square

Wismar's gigantic market square, Wismar

 CatherineReichardt Says:  The Marienkirche tower presides over what some sources claim to be the largest market square in Germany (although frankly I have my doubts about whether this is really true or not). Regardless of its relative size ranking, the square is a vast space so disproportionate to... 

All that remains of the massive Marienkirche

All that remains of the massive Marienkirche, Wismar

 CatherineReichardt Says:  The Marienkirche (Church of Mary) was the tallest of Wismar's three Gothic churches, and so inevitably attracted the attention of the squadron of bombers that was sent to decimate Wismar during mid April 1945 - sadly only three weeks before the end of the war.In 1960, the... 

The quietly contemplative Church of St Nikolai

The quietly contemplative Church of St Nikolai, Wismar

 CatherineReichardt Says:  Of all the Red Brick Gothic churches we visited in this part of the world - and that was a lot - St Nikolai in Wismar was my unquestionable favourite. It sits on the northern fringe of the old town, in a quietly picturesque location adjacent to a small canal and away from... 

Neue Kirche - a Notkirche by Otto Bartning

Neue Kirche - a Notkirche by Otto Bartning, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The New Church next to the ruin of Marienkirche takes us back to the times of destruction and need after the end of the war. Among the debris, people needed consolation and prayed for a better future. Rebuilding Marienkirche and Georgenkirche was (and still is) a distant... 

Hanseatic Version of Art Nouveau

Hanseatic Version of Art Nouveau, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  In market square and next to Alter Schwede, this house was built around 1900 when Jugendstil was en vogue. Its stepped gable is an interesting translation of Hanseatic brick gothic architecture into the language of art nouveau. 

Archidiakonat

Archidiakonat, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The house of the main priest at Marienkirche in a brick gothic building, erected around 1450. The stepped gable must be the most beautiful of its kind in Wismar – right now (summer 2009) the building is in restauro and hidden behind scaffolding. All you get is a glimpse... 

Old Town: Lübsche Straße

Old Town: Lübsche Straße, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The main street to the west was named after the direction it leads to. Lübsch, lübisch is the adjective that refers to the city of Lübeck. The wide street is accompanied by the typical gable facades from all eras, some painted in bright colours. Heilig-Geist-Hospital is... 

Schabbellhaus and Historical Museum

Schabbellhaus and Historical Museum, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  Wismar’s mayor Hinrich Schabbell had the house and brewery built in 1596-1571. He employed the same Dutch architect who designed the Wasserkunst a few years later. It was one of the earliest renaissance buildings along the Baltic Sea coast and shows the typical Dutch... 

Nikolai Church, Interior

Nikolai Church, Interior, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The huge church is even more impressive from inside. The central nave is 37 m high and one of the highest in Germany. This structure is completely built from bricks. Nikolai hosts several art works that belong to the two other, destroyed churches, Marienkirche and... 

The Harbour

The Harbour, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The old harbour basin closest to the old town is still about the same size as in the middle ages. The harbour has extended, the outer parts are now a small but modern cargo port for wood, grain, chemicals and other goods. Then there are the shipyards. The economical crisis... 

Old Town: The Pedestrian Malls

Old Town: The Pedestrian Malls, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  Krämerstraße, Hinter dem Rathaus and Altwismarstraße are the city’s shopping streets and pedestrian zone. There is a lot of old architecture along these streets mixed with modern buildings. Here is the liveliest part of the city and the streets have smooth stone pavement... 

Hotels  

Stadt Hamburg

 16 Opinions

Restaurants  

Brauhaus am Lohberg: Brewpub

Brauhaus am Lohberg: Brewpub, Wismar

 bonio Says:  A brewpub will always grab my attention and this is a particularly good one!Arrived a little after 7pm and very lucky to find the last table, that's a good sign. Firstly tried a couple of the house made beers a light and a dark, prefered the light but both enjoyable. Now the... 

Weincafe schwedenwache: Lunch stop!

Weincafe schwedenwache: Lunch stop!, Wismar

 bonio Says:  Great place for us to sit outside and watch comings and goings on Am Markt, and a good place for lunch too.Mrs B especially enjoyed a vegetarian plate (for a change!) both meals pretty tasty and reasonably priced - enjoyed. 

Brauhaus am Lohberg: Microbrewery and restaurant

Brauhaus am Lohberg: Microbrewery and restaurant, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The microbrewery recently celebrated its 555th anniversary. Food is good and abundant and the house-brewed beers are worth trying. Pils and the dark brown Mumme are done all year round, in addition to those they do seasonal specialities. To tell the truth, I owe my... 

Café Fürstenhof: Cosiest cafe garden in town

Café Fürstenhof: Cosiest cafe garden in town, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  Café FürstenhofIf you want a cosy place to rest, have an excellent coffee and home-made cake, or a big ice-cream, here is a little café with a very special ambience and unique atmosphere. In summer you sit in the back garden on the lawn under apple and cherry trees, look at... 

Shopping  

Karstadt: Karstadt Store – Where Big Business Started
Kathrin_E profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Kathrin_E 2869 reviews

In 1881 a merchant named Rudolph Karstadt opened a store in Wismar, corner Lübsche Straße and Krämerstraße. In the beginning staff consisted of himself and one employee. In his shop customers had to pay cash, which was still unusual in those times.

His business policy was successful. His store has grown into Karstadt AG, a big nationwide chain of department stores that still bears the founder’s name – in 2009 they were on the edge of bankruptcy, but the business has been saved, although a number of smaller stores were sacrificed. Karstadt is again a well-reputated address for shopping.

Updated Apr 24, 2012

Address: Lübsche Straße/Krämerstraße

Related to:
 Women's Travel
 Historical Travel

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Warnings and Dangers  

Guidance on photography in churches: Homer's Rules

Guidance on photography in churches: Homer's Rules, Wismar

 CatherineReichardt Says:  Visiting churches is one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Europe, and provides a fascinating insight into the most powerful influencethat has shaped European cultures of the past couple of millenia.Unlike some other religions - where access to places of worship may be... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Lindengarten

Lindengarten, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The grounds of the former Swedish fortification on the eastern side of the old town was planted with linden trees and turned into a park in 1815. The paths along the moat and the pond are a place to rest and have a picnic. There is history here, too. A tower than once... 

Zeughaus – the Arsenal

Zeughaus – the Arsenal, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  The arsenal is a remarkable example of baroque military architecture. It was built by the Swedes (who possessed Wismar from 1648 to 1803) after the old arsenal had exploded in 1699. Nowadays the building hosts the town library. Location: Ulmenstraße 

Favorites  

Old Shop and Company Signs

Old Shop and Company Signs, Wismar

 Kathrin_E Says:  Time stood still in Wismar. If you keep your eyes open you can still spot the signs and advertisements of shops and companies that have long ceased to exist. Some may date before the First World War. Photo 1: The store in Spiegelberg produced and sold sails, waterproof... 

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Map of Wismar