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The Hanseatic city of Greifswald on the river Ryck is an cozy city with everything that belongs to the character of a Northern German city with roots in the Baltic Sea trade. Beautiful buildings, impressive churches, a central market square and an elegant city hall are just some of the highlights.
Compared to other North German Hanseatic cities, Greifswald is a relatively small town, and it provides the opportunity to easily experience the city on foot. It is not far between the sights, where St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Market Square and the Museum Harbor are good choices for a walk.
Greifswald is not the only Hanseatic city in the region, so there are nice options for day trips, i.e. to Anklam and Demmin, but also to the larger city of Stralsund. You can also enjoy the lovely beaches on the Baltic Sea as well as some museums and cozy towns.
The university town of Greifswald is one of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania’s easternmost Hanseatic cities. The town has got its first part of its name from the Pomeranian griff, which is also depicted in the city’s coat of arms.
Founded in the late 1100s, the monastery of Eldena, which is now considered a ruin to the east of the city, also became the starting point for the city’s real urbanization, with Greifswald’s first explosive growth following its founding in the first half of the 13th century. Among other things, the site at the mouth of the Ryck River became a free port, and Duke Wartislaw III guaranteed compensation for any losses to pirates. In 1278, the city was first mentioned as a Hanseatic city.
In the 1300s, Mecklenburg wanted dominion over the area, but among other things by forming alliances with the neighboring towns of Anklam, Demmin and Stralsund and with the help of the Danish king, the Mecklenburgs were kept at a distance. The same federation later formed a common front against pirates.
In 1452, the Pomeranian Duke granted Greifswald far-reaching trade rights, the so-called “golden privileges,” and that was the start of the city’s heyday. Only four years later, Pommerns was founded at the time the only university in Greifswald.
The 30-year war ended the golden age. The city capitulated to the Imperial troops under General Wallenstein in 1627, and it became the start of a period of forced labor. The later plague epidemic only made matters worse, and the city was partially depopulated.
In 1631, the Swedish troops, under King Gustav II Adolf, stood before Greifswald’s defense, and after a short time they had to surrender. The next 184 years came to be under Swedish rule, though with extensive freedom and independence and with significant Swedish church and court authorities in the city. First, at the Vienna Congress in 1815, the city and the Swedish possessions in Pomerania became Prussian. Before then, however, the 18th century had been a tough time for the city, which was ravaged by major fires in 1713 and 1736 as well as destruction following a gunpowder explosion in 1758.
During the 19th century, the highway from Berlin to Stralsund came through Greifswald and in 1863 the railroad was to become economically important. Railway workshops became the most important industry in the Greifswald, and the railway first included various smaller industries. In the economic crisis of the 1920s, for example, the railway workshops closed down and this led to high unemployment. During World War II, there was a large military garrison in the city, which, however, escaped unspoiled through the end of the war. The city commander surrendered Greifswald to Russian troops without a fight on April 30, 1945.
After World War II, Greifswald was part of the GDR, and the city was rapidly developed through the construction of a number of elementary buildings, the so-called Plattenbau, which also led to a severe renovation of some historic buildings. Since the 1980s, the city has been restored to radiate a glorious past.
Overview of Greifswald
The Hanseatic city of Greifswald on the river Ryck is an cozy city with everything that belongs to the character of a Northern German city with roots in the Baltic Sea trade. Beautiful buildings, impressive churches, a central market square and an elegant city hall are just some of the highlights.
Compared to other North German Hanseatic cities, Greifswald is a relatively small town, and it provides the opportunity to easily experience the city on foot. It is not far between the sights, where St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Market Square and the Museum Harbor are good choices for a walk.
About the upcoming Greifswald travel guide
About the travel guide
The Greifswald travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the German city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Greifswald is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Greifswald and Germany
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Greifswald you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
Beautiful Churches • Museum Harbor • Town Hall • Cozy Squares
Overview of Greifswald
The Hanseatic city of Greifswald on the river Ryck is an cozy city with everything that belongs to the character of a Northern German city with roots in the Baltic Sea trade. Beautiful buildings, impressive churches, a central market square and an elegant city hall are just some of the highlights.
Compared to other North German Hanseatic cities, Greifswald is a relatively small town, and it provides the opportunity to easily experience the city on foot. It is not far between the sights, where St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Market Square and the Museum Harbor are good choices for a walk.
About the upcoming Greifswald travel guide
About the travel guide
The Greifswald travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the German city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Greifswald is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Greifswald and Germany
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Greifswald you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
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