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| Every corner of Germany has so much to offer and Warnemünde with Rostock proved no exception Warnemünde’s acres of fine sand makes a sure fire hit as a holiday resort and this is where the ship docks. So if your ambition is no more than a touch of sunbathing and a stroll around the resort then all that is very close by. Yachts at anchor, a jumble of fishing boats, sea, cafés and bars, not forgetting the famous teepot, and a mole all lend character to this small but charming resort.
Warnemünde beach Lying on the west bank of the river Die Warnow, Warnemünde is a few miles distance from Rostock. Transport connections are good by boat, train and bus and the purchase of a Day Pass (3.20 euro/£2.20/ $4 - 2006) may be all you need to get into Rostock and back. All you need to do is validate the card on the first journey only, whether bus or train. The trains and buses start in the heart of Warnmünde. These cards are available at the Warnemünde Tourist Office, train and bus station. Alternatively, you can also choose to buy a Rostock Card, also available from the Tourist Office, at 8 euro (£5.50/$10 - 2006). the card will give you free transport for two days and reductions in museum entrance fees.
Warnemünde Cycling is another option. Hire a bike on leaving the ship and cycle your own way into Rostock using safe cycle lanes. |
 St Peter's Church Rostock was one of the first and most influential of members of the Hanseatic League, a Guild or hansa which formed around the 14th century to develop trade overseas and especially in the Baltic. As the Hanse declined, so did Rostock and it was further devastated by a disastrous fire and wars but a trade revival in the 18th and 19th centuries brought a new wave of prosperity. The face of the town now reflects it various fortunes, old town fortifications, brick built Gothic churches and step-gabled houses. Rostock town centre is relatively compact so it is fairly easy to take in a number of sites within the course of a day. The place to start is St Peter’s Church (St Petrikirche) in the oldest part of the city in the east. It started life as a wooden church in the 13th century but was followed by a brick Gothic construction with an 117m (380ft) tower which served as a landmark for sailors for centuries. Air raids destroyed the tower and part of the church in 1942. After a long wait of 52 years, the tower was rebuilt to a height of 125m (410ft) this time with a modern lift so visitors can ascend to a viewing floor.
Moving westward towards the University Square (Universität- splatz), the heart of the modern city, there are two important buildings to visit on the way. The City Hall started life in 1270 as a two storey, double gabled house but the Baroque porch was added in the 18th century. It overlooks the new market. Nearby is St Mary’s church (Marienkirche), Rostock’s most famous and important church. Not to be missed inside is the 12m (40ft) high astronomical clock and calendar. It was completed in 1472 and is still in working condition. The calendar is valid to 2017
City Hall |
Kröpeliner Street
leads from the new market to the old market which is now the University
Square. The display of terracotta, shell blue, mustard gable-fronts along
this street of tall buildings add a real distinction to the shops below.
Here you can grab an outdoor table at a café for a quick coffee or snack.
At the top end of the square lies The Fountain of the Joys of Life. A
wonderful fountain full of bronze sculptured human figures celebrating
life. Children splashing happily in the water underlined the title. The
university building of 1867 built in Italian Renaissance style lies just
beyond the fountain.
Branching off left from the University
building leads shortly to the cultural History museum which offers free
entrance. This is located in the Holy Cross Convent (Heiligen Kreuz) once
occupied by Cistercian nuns and where you can see some toys, crafts and
paintings from Dutch masters. The peaceful cloistered courtyard is worth a
moments reflection. Walking around to the back of the museum brings you to
a section of the old town walls. The Fountain of the Joys of Life.
If there is time left, heading back past the University and continuing north leads to the port side. There are some interesting café/restaurants along here where you can have lunch as we did at Zum alten Fritz and watch the boats come and go or even catch the City Harbour Ferry to take you back to Warnemünde. One tour on our wish list was a trip to the Bad Doberan Minster combined with a ride on the Molli train. The Molli train is a traditional steam engine billowing steam and smoke running on narrow gauge track. This 15.4km (10 mile) 40 minute train journey takes place between Kühlungsborn and Bad Doberan Minster. |
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