Summary of Key Attractions in Schwerin
The oldest city within the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schwerin received its city rights from the notable Duke, Henry the Lion, in 1160. An integral highlight of Schwerin is the captivating palace, the residence of the affluent Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Resembling a Loire Valley Château, the palace is situated on its own island, connected by a bridge to an exquisite Baroque garden adorned with royal monuments, sandstone sculptures, and divided by a canal reminiscent of Versailles. Schwerin is surrounded by water, with twelve distinct lakes within its boundaries. The most picturesque of these is the Pfaffenteich, which is framed by impressive 19th-century apartment buildings. A boat tour of the Schweriner See in summer is highly recommended.
Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Schwerin:
1. Schwerin Palace
Located on an island in the Burgsee lake, the prominent attraction in Schwerin is the magnificent residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The island has been home to a castle since the 10th century, which took the form of a Renaissance palace by the 16th century.
Three centuries later, Duke Frederick Francis II commissioned a significant renovation, transforming the palace into a spectacular Loire Valley Château during the 1840s.
If you are familiar with Chambord, you will certainly notice similarities in the conical towers and the cupolas above.
Since reunification, the palace has served as the seat of the state assembly for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, although various apartments and reception rooms are designated as a museum, which will be discussed next.
2. Museum Schloss Schwerin
One cannot overlook the opportunity to explore the interior of the palace, which comprises 635 rooms, many of which are accessible to visitors.
This facility is managed by the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, which also hosts the Ducal art collection at a different location.
In the elegantly furnished ballrooms and private apartments, one can easily appreciate the opulence of the Dukes who resided here. Visitors will encounter an array of paintings, porcelain, ceremonial armor, hunting weapons, swords, animal sculptures, and silverware.
Furthermore, much of the enjoyment derives from the structure itself, with its charming alcoves, oriels, decorative features, and fascinating stories about its inhabitants in the 1800s.
3. Schwerin Cathedral
Representing a prominent example of North German Brick Gothic architecture, Schwerin Cathedral dates back to the city’s foundation.
Founded by the legendary Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, Henry the Lion, in 1160, the then-modest church became a renowned pilgrimage site in the 13th century when a count returned from the crusades bearing the “relic of the Holy Blood,” a drop believed to be from Jesus’ blood.
From 1270 to 1416, the nave and choir were expanded to their current impressive proportions.
Within the chancel, visitors will be greeted by the Loste-Retabel, part of an exceptional Late Gothic winged altarpiece from the 1420s depicting the crucifixion through a sandstone relief.
Another must-see is the triumphal cross from around the same period, which was relocated here following the demolition of the Marienkirche in Wismar during the GDR era.
The cathedral houses a wealth of historical artifacts, including a 14th-century bronze baptismal font and medieval tomb monuments for bishops located on the north transept wall.
4. Galerie Alte & Neue Meister Schwerin
Affiliated with the Staatliches Museum Schwerin, this art museum is housed in an elegant Neoclassical palace overlooking the Burgsee.
Here, visitors can immerse themselves in an exceptional collection of Dutch and Flemish Old Masters.
The roster includes renowned artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Brueghel the Elder, Peter Claesz, and Paulus Potter, among others.
Moreover, the museum showcases a strong selection of works spanning from the 1700s to the 1900s, featuring artists like Caspar David Friedrich, Lovis Corinth, Max Pechstein, Picasso, and Alexej von Jawlensky.
The gallery also possesses approximately 90 works by Marcel Duchamp, encompassing “readymades,” sculptures, graphic works, posters, and books.
5. Schwerin Palace Garden
Situated on Schlossinsel, extending symmetrically across the water, lies one of North Germany’s finest Baroque gardens.
The gardens offer free access to the public and are meticulously maintained, featuring a long cross-shaped canal, sculptures, terraces, fountains, tree-lined pathways, a grotto, a pergola, a hippodrome, and a “floating meadow” adjacent to the Burgsee.
Notably, the orangery near the palace, located on the eastern side of the island, is particularly charming.
This delicate structure of cast iron and glass is still utilized for wintering plants, but it also houses a café that offers views through large glass panels onto a courtyard garden.
6. Pfaffenteich
Schwerin’s equivalent of the Binnenalster in Hamburg, Pfaffenteich is a 12-hectare pond that was first dammed in the 1100s to power watermills on its southern shore.
The banks feature grassy areas and tree-lined promenades that stand in front of tall 19th-century apartment buildings.
The southern shore, closest to Schwerin’s old town, becomes vibrant during summer as residents and tourists gather at café terraces and steps located behind the pleasure boat jetty.
To the left, one can observe another of Schwerin’s landmarks, the Neo-Gothic Arsenal from 1840, which currently houses Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s interior ministry.
7. Freilichtmuseum Schwerin-Mueß
Established in 1936 when the fishing village of Mueß was integrated into Schwerin, the historic core of the village was preserved and transformed into an open-air museum.
Most of the 17 structures remain much as they were when constructed, some dating back up to 400 years.
Furthermore, as many of the buildings originally served community purposes, they provide a clear glimpse into rural life and folk culture in Mecklenburg during past eras.
Visitors can wander through the half-timbered shepherd’s cottage, a village school, and a blacksmith’s forge, while displays include old tools, costumes, and everyday items.
The museum spans 5.5 hectares, with approximately 100 varieties of fruit trees and crops cultivated in the surrounding gardens.
The standout structure is the landowner’s estate, the Büdner, constructed shortly after the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century.
8. Markt
Located mere moments south of the cathedral, Schwerin’s historic marketplace was developed following the great fire of 1651. Around the square are four listed buildings accompanied by newer post-war structures that display Baroque and Renaissance architectural styles.
One striking monument is the market hall Neues Gebäude (New Building) on the northern side, which dates back to 1783. With its Doric colonnade, this Neoclassical edifice was intentionally limited to two stories to avoid obstructing the view of the cathedral.
Proceed to the southwest corner at Am Markt 3, where a Baroque half-timbered shop offers a picturesque photo opportunity alongside the city hall.
A municipal building has occupied this site since the 14th century, though the 17th-century fire and subsequent renovations have resulted in Renaissance Revival architecture dating back to the 1830s.
9. Löwendenkmal
Situated in the market square next to the Neues Gebäude, the Löwendenkmal pays tribute to the founder of the city, Henry the Lion.
This monument, created in 1995, commemorates the 800th anniversary of the founder’s death and was financed by a local bank, with the sculptor being the distinguished Peter Lenk.
The pedestal features historical anecdotes, represented through satirical reliefs depicting critical events in Henry’s life.
These include the founding of Schwerin in 1160 and the Wendenkreuzzug of 1147, during which a coalition of German and Scandinavian princes launched a crusade against the pagan Sorbian Slavs to the east.
10. Schelfkirche St. Nikolai
This magnificent Baroque church, constructed in 1713, replaced an earlier Medieval structure that was destroyed in a storm in 1703. The floor plan is distinguished by its unique creek-cross shape, with equal-length nave, choir, and transept.
Another significant feature of this church is its function as the funerary chapel for the ruling House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Among the notable burials is Sophia Luis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who became the Queen Consort of Prussia in the early 18th century through her marriage to Frederick I. Above a decorative wooden gallery at the rear, one can find an organ crafted by the esteemed 19th-century organ-maker, Friedrich Friese III.
11. Schlosskirche
Located near the water on Schlossinsel, this church was constructed during the palace’s 16th-century renovation in the Renaissance style.
Subsequently, it underwent a Neo-Gothic redesign in the 19th century by the architect Ernst Friedrich Zwirner, renowned for his contributions to Cologne Cathedral.
This resulted in delicate blue-painted vaults speckled with stars and tall, slender traceried windows.
Hints of the original Renaissance structure remain, with galleries supported by Tuscan-style columns adorned with alabaster reliefs illustrating Bible scenes such as the Fall of Man, Jesus’ Birth, and his Resurrection.
12. Reiterdenkmal Friedrich Franz II
Following the death of Frederick Francis II from pneumonia in 1883, plans for a monument were swiftly set in motion by the court.
The cast was completed in 1891, and the monument was unveiled ten years after his death in 1893. The sculptor, Ludwig Brunow, drew inspiration from two models: The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome and Berlin’s Equestrian Statue of the Great Elector.
Facing the palace across the water, the nine-meter tall monument is notably large, with a four-meter marble pedestal.
Engraved onto the pedestal are two reliefs depicting significant moments from Frederick Francis’ reign, complemented by allegorical figures at the corners symbolizing the four virtues of a ruler: Faith, righteousness, strength, and wisdom.
13. Schwerin TV Tower
The city acquired a modern landmark along its eastern horizon in the early 1960s with the construction of the television tower.
This space-age, reinforced concrete structure from the GDR era stands at a height of 136.5 meters, including the mast, and features both a panoramic restaurant and an observation deck.
The restaurant is highly praised for its upscale menu, offering dishes such as baked camembert and pheasant breast with Béarnaise sauce.
One floor below, the observation deck is best visited on a clear evening for panoramic views of the sunset over Schwerin and its lakes.
14. Zoo Schwerin
Open year-round, the city’s zoo is set across six hectares on the southern shore of the Fauler See lake.
The zoo is home to over 650 animals that inhabit large, naturalistic enclosures where species frequently coexist.
For instance, lions share their habitat with meerkats and fox mongooses, while brown bears and wolves reside together within the same enclosure.
The presence of numerous indoor habitats allows the zoo to remain operational even in winter, with recent additions such as a new frog house displaying amphibians in modern terrariums.
This development follows the Warmhaus, which houses Central and South American species like the two-toed sloth and giant anteater among tropical flora.
15. Boat Tours
Given the abundance of waterways, a boat ride is an essential experience during a summer day in Schwerin.
The cruise company Weiße Flotte operates a jetty just below Schwerin Palace, offering daily tours of the Schweriner See lake from March to October.
Choices include a typical 1.5-hour excursion, an intimate sunset cruise, or a lively party boat in the evening.
During daytime excursions, vessels often anchor at the Kaninchenwerder island, an untouched nature reserve with sweeping views back toward Schwerin.
