World Heritage Photos

Historic Centre of Stralsund: The German town of Stralsund is situated on the Strelasund, a sound of the Baltic Sea that separates the island of Rügen from mainland Germany. The town was a major member of the Hanseatic League in the 14th and 15th centuries. Its historic centre still reflects the ideal developed town of the Hanseatic League during its heyday in the 14th century. Stralsund has retained its medieval ground plan up to the present day. The architecture reflects the extraordinary wealth of Stralsund in the medieval period, notably the monumental Brick Gothic churches and the 13th-century Brick Gothic Town Hall. From 1628 until 1807, Stralsund was under the rule of Sweden. This historic period is still visible in several buildings, such as the Commandantenhus, the Baroque headquarters of the Swedish military commander. Stralsund was heavily damaged during the Second World War, but its Brick Gothic churches and Town Hall survived the numerous Allied bombing raids. Stralsund was part of the former GDR. Since the German reunification in 1990, Stralsund has undertaken the restoration of the historic centre and the impressive Brick Gothic monuments. In 2002, the Historic Centre of Stralsund, together with the historic centre of the nearby town of Wismar, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as: Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar.

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1. 

   The Skyline of Stralsund at night; on the left side the Rügenbrücke (Rügen Bridge). This bridge connects Stralsund with the island of Rügen. The German town of Stralsund is situated on the Strelasund, a sound of the Baltic Sea between the island of Rügen and mainland Germany. The Historic Centre of Stralsund was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

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   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The decorative façade of the Old Town Hall. The town hall was built in the Brick Gothic style between 1300 and 1310. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The brick town hall underwent extensive restoration between 2001 and 2011. The fountain on the Old Market Square starts at random intervals and sprays water into the air at different heights. 

3. 

   Historic Centre of Stralsund: A detail of the red-brick Gothic Old Town Hall. This historic building is a major landmark of the city. It is one of the most important secular buildings of Brick Gothic architecture in northern Germany. The brick architecture reflects the extraordinary wealth of Stralsund in the medieval period.

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   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The adorned vaulted ceiling of the Marienkirche. The church was built just before 1298; it is a prime example of Brick Gothic architecture. The Marienkirche (the St. Mary's Church) was the tallest building in the world from 1625 to 1647. The tower was struck by lightning and burned down in 1647. It was rebuilt and topped with a Baroque dome in 1708.

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   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas' Church) is the oldest of the three major parish churches in Stralsund and a true masterpiece of the Brick Gothic style. The church was dedicated in 1279 to Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of children, merchants and sailors. The Nikolaikirche is considered one of the finest brick churches in the north of Europe.

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   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The colourful, adorned interior of the Brick Gothic Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas' Church). Behind the high altar stands an astronomical clock, which was built in 1394. The Hanseatic city of Stralsund was heavily damaged during the Second World War. During an Allied bombing raid in 1944, the Nikolaikirche also suffered severe damage. The restoration of the church began in 1947 and was largely completed in 2002.

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   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The tower-like Lotsenhaus is the historic maritime pilot station of Stralsund. It was built of red brick in 1901. In the 14th and 15th centuries, Stralsund was a major member of the Hanseatic League: a powerful economic alliance of trading cities along the coasts of Europe. After Lübeck, Stralsund was the most important Hanseatic city in the Baltic region.

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   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The Wulflam House stands on the Old Market Square; this red-brick Gothic house was built by the Wulflam family before 1358. The patrician house now serves as a restaurant. The gable of the yellow house was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th century. The Old Market Square is the heart of the Old Town; it is surrounded by many historic buildings.

9. 

   Historic Centre of Stralsund: The Hanseatic city of Stralsund was under Swedish rule from 1628 to 1807. It became the political headquarters of Swedish Pomerania in 1720. During the Swedish era, a number of Baroque gabled houses were built. The blue Baroque Commander's House on the Old Market Square served as the headquarters of the Swedish military commander. 

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    Historic Centre of Stralsund: The Marienkirche (Church of St. Mary) is situated on the banks of the large Frankenteich lake. The 151-metre-high tower was once the tallest building in the world. The architecture of Stralsund reflects the extraordinary wealth of the city in the Middle Ages; in particular the monumental Brick Gothic churches and the town hall.