Summary of Best Activities in Rostock
As a Hanseatic trading city, Rostock was awarded city rights in the 13th century and has since served as a pivotal center for trade, education, and shipbuilding along the Baltic Sea.
Despite sustaining damage from bombings in 1942, much of Rostock’s heritage was preserved, including the monumental Brick Gothic Marienkirche, Renaissance gabled merchants’ houses, and an extensive section of the city’s defensive walls dating back to the 13th century.
The city also features its own seaside resort.
Warnemünde, located at the Warnow Estuary, boasts a 15-kilometer stretch of white sandy beach that caters to everyone, from young children to water sports enthusiasts.
It is advisable to plan your visit for mid-August to participate in the Hanse Sail festival, where tall ships will evoke memories of Rostock’s Hanseatic glory.
Now, let us explore the top attractions in Rostock:
1. Marienkirche
Among Rostock’s churches, the Marienkirche stands out as a quintessential example of North German Brick Gothic architecture, remaining largely unchanged since the 14th century.
This cross-shaped basilica continues to dominate Rostock’s skyline, with a significant amount of its original architecture and decor intact.
Despite the extensive destruction experienced during bombing campaigns in 1942, the church sustained only partial damage, and its fires were promptly controlled.
Notable features within the church include the altar dedicated to St Roch, intricately carved in the Late Gothic style around 1530, a bronze baptismal font from 1290, and an impressive astronomical clock from 1472. Additionally, visitors should take time to appreciate the ornate Rococo high altar from 1721 and the Renaissance pulpit from 1574.
2. Petrikirche
Petrikirche, the oldest of Rostock’s three churches, originated in 1252 and was subsequently reconstructed in the Brick Gothic style around the 1350s.
Situated on the elevated left bank of the Warnow River, just before it broadens into the Unterwarnow estuary, the church tower rises to a height of 117 meters and has served as a prominent seamark for sailors and fishermen for centuries.
Severely affected during World War II, it took nearly 50 years for the spire to be restored.
During its reconstruction, an elevator was installed in the tower, providing access to an observation platform at a height of 45 meters.
3. Warnemünde Beach
Flanking the Warnow Estuary, the award-winning Warnemünde Beach extends 15 kilometers, widening to 100 meters at certain points.
The beach has a gentle slope, making it suitable for children, and features two wide sections monitored by lifeguards during the summer: Warnemünde Hauptstrand and Markgrafenheide on the opposite bank of the Warnow.
By walking slightly west of the lighthouse, the beach becomes tranquil and is lined with historic villas dating back to the early 20th century.
With its fine, sugar-white sand, this expansive beach encompasses designated areas for water sports, naturism, beach sports such as soccer and volleyball in summer, as well as zones for barbecuing and campfires on the sand.
4. Alter Strom
Located in Warnemünde’s harbor, Alter Strom is a channel that has existed since 1423. For over five centuries, it served as the primary maritime route connecting Rostock’s port with the Baltic Sea until Neuer Strom was dredged in 1903. The promenade along the west side of Alter Strom is adorned with charming old fishermen’s houses that now host shops and restaurants.
Along the quay, a continuous line of boats can be seen, some converted into floating snack bars.
At Am Strom 53, you will find the Edvard Munch Haus, where the renowned Norwegian symbolist painter resided from 1907 to 1908.
5. Warnemünde Lighthouse
On the left bank of the Warnow Estuary, the Warnemünde Lighthouse stands at just under 30 meters high and has been operational since 1898. Constructed from white-glazed bricks, it serves as the main landmark in the resort and features wrought iron railings on its observation platforms.
From Easter to October, visitors can ascend the tower to admire views of Warnemünde, Rostock, the Baltic Sea, the port entrance, and the beach.
At the tower’s base lies the Teepott, a GDR-era facility that now comprises cafes, restaurants, and bars.
The old pilot station features a memorial to the 1872 storm surge, which tragically resulted in 271 casualties along the German Baltic coast.
As a response to this disaster, long breakwaters were constructed along the estuary.
6. City Wall
The defensive walls of Rostock were initially erected in the 1100s and underwent modifications for gunpowder in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Due to these enhancements and the city’s expansion in the 19th century, only four of the original twenty medieval gates remain.
Nevertheless, over a kilometer of the wall is still intact.
One of the gates, Kröpeliner Tor, offers a wooden walkway that leads along the wall to Schwaansche Straße.
Along the path, visitors will pass several small guardhouses.
Further east stands the Kuhtor (Cow Gate), recognized as Northern Germany’s oldest surviving city gate, dating from the latter half of the 13th century.
7. Kulturhistorisches Museum
Housed in the Gothic Monastery of the Holy Cross since 1984, Rostock’s cultural history museum is significantly older, dating back to 1859, and is regarded as one of the premier museums in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Among the many exhibits, a particularly fascinating display is the sacred art from various religious sites in Rostock, spanning the Middle Ages through the late 16th century, including statues, choir stalls, and altars.
The museum features Dutch Renaissance and Baroque artworks, including pieces by Jan Brueghel, along with a series of historical landscapes of Rostock.
Additionally, the museum showcases modern art labeled as “degenerate” by the Nazis, alongside antique toys, coins spanning from the 1300s to the 1800s, and handicrafts dating to Medieval times, providing abundant insights for antiquarians in this historically rich location.
8. Shipbuilding and Maritime Museum Rostock
Located on the Unterwarnow, midway between Rostock and Warnemünde, lies the Dresden, a “Typ IV”, 10,000-ton freighter.
Launched in the city in 1958, this vessel has housed a museum dedicated to shipbuilding and maritime endeavors since 1970.
Rostock has a profound shipbuilding legacy that traces back to its Slavic origins. Visitors can explore the industry through various phases, including the GDR period when Rostock served as East Germany’s primary maritime container hub.
The exhibitions detail the history of maritime radio, the GDR’s “Typ IV” freighters, marine research in the Baltic, as well as the future of shipping and shipbuilding industries.
Adjacent to the ship is a maritime-themed park featuring significant shipbuilding artifacts, including a colossal steam hammer salvaged from Rostock’s former Neptunwerft shipyard.
9. Neuer Markt
Following the granting of city rights to Rostock in 1218, the city expanded rapidly.
By 1265, when three previously independent suburbs became united, this square emerged as the new city center.
During the Renaissance, elegant gabled merchants’ houses were constructed around the square.
The Neuer Markt was not spared during the bombings in 1942; however, most of the east side of the square remains original, as do some buildings on the north side and the town hall, which is our next stop.
The houses at numbers 12 and 16 are particularly picturesque.
From Monday to Saturday, the market on Neuer Markt operates, while during the Christmas season, the square hosts Rostock’s Ferris wheel and other attractions.
10. Rathaus
Upon examination of Rostock’s arcaded town hall at Neuer Markt, one might be surprised to learn that the structure is as ancient as the square itself, dating to the 13th century.
This potentially makes it the oldest town hall in Germany.
However, in the 18th century, a storm damaged the facade, which was subsequently replaced with a Baroque design, although the interior remains much older.
One noticeable feature is the set of seven Gothic turrets adorning the roof.
In front of the entrance, be sure to locate the sculpture of a snake.
The current version has been present since 1998, although a version of this snake has been a fixture since the 1800s.
This snake may symbolize wisdom or possibly served as a means of measuring eels at the market.
Regardless, it is a tradition to rub its head for good fortune.
11. Rostocker Stadthafen
Visitors will undoubtedly realize they are in a Hanseatic city upon arriving at the waterfront at Rostock’s Stadthafen.
In 1877, Rostock boasted the largest trading fleet on the Baltic Sea, comprising 369 vessels.
Harbor operations transitioned to Rostock Port by 1991; however, remnants of its trading past remain visible in the form of warehouse rows and a replica of an 18th-century wooden harbor crane.
For the past two decades, the Stadthafen has evolved into a place for leisurely strolls, enjoyment of seafood, and watching passenger boats and herring trawlers as they unload in the spring season.
The Stadthafen transforms during the Hanse Sail, a maritime event in mid-August where approximately 250 tall ships and other traditional vessels dock in the city.
12. Stasi-Knast Rostock
This former detention facility offers a sobering glimpse into the state oppression experienced under the SED government during the GDR era. Administered by the state security service known as the Stasi, this detention center is attached to the former Stasi ministry building constructed in the 1950s.
Spanning three floors, the facility was capable of accommodating 110 inmates, confined in small cells that allowed minimal sunlight and deprived prisoners of awareness regarding their location.
Before reunification, a total of 4,900 individuals were detained here for various offenses, including attempts to flee East Germany or for criticizing party leaders.
Visitors can learn about the Stasi’s operations, tour the cells, and view a prison transport vehicle, along with documents, photographs, and surveillance equipment.
13. Rostock Zoo
Covering 56 hectares and home to over 4,000 animals, the renowned Rostock Zoo is the largest zoo along the Baltic Sea coast of Germany.
A must-see at this zoo is the Darwineum, described as a “living museum” equipped with interactive exhibitions on evolution, along with a tropical house housing gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, and more.
The zoo’s most iconic resident is the polar bear, as Rostock Zoo manages the species’ studbook for the European Endangered Species Programme.
A new Polarium is set to be unveiled in autumn 2018, creating a cutting-edge habitat for the zoo’s polar bears.
During the summer, a busy schedule of animal feedings takes place throughout the day, allowing visitors to observe a variety of animals such as cheetahs, reindeer, seals, Galapagos giant turtles, gorillas, and pygmy hippos, while learning intriguing facts about them.
14. Molli Railway
A short distance west of Rostock lies the town of Bad Doberan, noted for its stunning Brick Gothic minster and serving as the eastern terminus of a narrow gauge railway established in the 1880s.
The inauguration of the line was attended by Frederick Francis III, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
The Molli operates along the coast and west to Kühlungsborn, providing passengers with a nostalgic steam-powered ride lasting approximately 40 minutes.
At Bad Doberan, the trains travel along a picturesque avenue bordered by lime trees, and upon reaching the Baltic Sea, passengers can enjoy scenic views all the way to Kühlungsborn.
The line’s oldest locomotives were manufactured by Orenstein & Koppel in 1932.
15. Universitätsplatz
A few streets north of the city walls lies the triangular Universitätsplatz, situated in Rostock’s pedestrian zone, similar to the Neuer Markt.
The square is intersected by Kröpeliner Straße, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare.
Its name derives from the university, which has maintained a presence in this area since the 15th century.
The principal university building, showcasing a Neo-Renaissance design from the 1860s, is located on the western side of the square.
The central fountain, Der Brunnen der Lebensfreude (Fountain for the Joy of Life), was created by Jo Jastram and Reinhard Dietrich.
Installed in 1985, it features 20 bronze sculptures of animals and people as well as 18 water jets, serving as a playful attraction for children during the summer months.
Behind the fountain stands the Fünfgiebelhaus (Five-gable house), which, notwithstanding its Renaissance style, dates back to only 1986: Be sure to visit at noon on a Saturday to hear its carillon toll.
