Rostock and Schwerin

The largest city in Mecklenburg Vorpommern is Rostock.    It is not the capital though, but Schwerin.   Rostock prides itself with so many industries, it has the leading  Maritime Tourism in all of Germany.   It has a thriving port and logistics industry as it connects East and West of Germany, as well as Scandinivia and the rest of Europe.  From a greater Europe perspective, it is right smack at the center and even has the advantage of water and island for tourism.

Other industries in Rostock are Airbus planes refurbishment , wind energy, agriculture technology, research, and of course tourism.

Every year, Rostock has at least 2 Sailing Events when people flock to see parades of  hundreds of boats, ships, ferries, and surfing and kiting competetions.  Warnemunde week around July, and the Hanse Sail around August.  Warnemunde is an island very popular among tourists.  Danish and Germans come here to beach every summer,  and this is the iconic Teepott of Warnemunde.

During pre-Xmas, it also has a colorful Christmas Market,  and the usual Octoberfest.  In this side of  Germany, Rostock is the place to be for events.

This is the 7-spire reconstructed city hall in the city center.  The city center is where the shops, restaurants, and hotels are, and has a big gate that defines its entrance, the Kropeliner Tor with the Rostock coat of Arms.

Within the city center is also Marien church, and University of Rostock.    The university is the region’s center for science specializing in medical technology, biology science, regenerative medicine, stem cells research, maritime research and shipbuilding.  There are just so many good schools in Rostock like Rostock University for Music and theater,  Max Planck Institute, and plenty of vocational schools in Warnemunde regarding maritime, research, IT, and services.   Below is University of Rostock.    I was free to enter and roam around there.

Just one hour by train or car, is the capital of Mecklenburg Vorpommern, Schwerin.   The highlight of the place is the Schwerin castle.  It used to be where the grand duke lives but now houses the seat of parliament. It also has a museum for tourists to visit.

Although Schwerin is not a Hanse city, it’s worth passing by for a visit, just to see the capital, city center, and the palace.