Schwerin, Germany
Schwerin is a regional capital of 96,641 people in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, founded in 1161.
Why visit Schwerin
Townapedia lists 129 museums and landmarks, 32 parks and trails, 215 places to eat, 32 places to stay and 15 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Mecklenburg State Theatre, filmpalast Capitol Schwerin, Staatliches Museum Schwerin and Schwerin Castle.
Weather in Schwerin
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Schwerin
Schwerin (German: [ʃveˈʁiːn] ) is the capital and second-largest city of the northeastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as well as of the region of Mecklenburg, after Rostock. It has around 96,000 inhabitants, and is thus the least populous of all German state capitals.
From the Wikipedia article Schwerin (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Schwerin on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Photos of Schwerin
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Things to do15
filmpalast Schwerin
Cinema and theater
Filmpalast Capitol Schwerin Kino
128 Wismarsche Straße, Schwerin
M*Halle - Spielstätte des Mecklenburgischen Staatstheaters
Cinema and theater · 2.7 km
1 Gutenbergstraße, Schwerin
3 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks129
Staatliches Museum Schwerin
Museum
Art museum in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany
3 Alter Garten, Schwerin
Apr-Oct Tu-Su 11:00-18:00, Nov-Mar Tu-Su 11:00-17:00
Mecklenburgisches Eisenbahn- und Technikmuseum
Museum · 0.9 km
13 Zum Bahnhof, Schwerin
May-Nov: Sa[-1] 10:00-17:00
Fachwerkhaus Buschstraße
Monument and historic site
Ältestes erhaltenes Fachwerkhaus Schwerins
15 Buschstraße, Schwerin
Arsenal am Pfaffenteich
Monument and historic site
1 Alexandrinenstraße, Schwerin
Wasserturm Schwerin-Neumühle
Monument and historic site · 2.6 km
Wasserturm in Schwerin-Neumühle
Schlossmuseum
Museum · 0.7 km
1 Lennéstraße, Schwerin
Apr 15-Oct 14: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; Oct 15-Apr 14: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00...
117 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds32
Hafen & Marina Schweriner Segler-Verein 1894
Marina and boat launch · 0.7 km
20 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes215
Lukas
Restaurant · Fish
5 Großer Moor, Schwerin
Jan-Mar Tu-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su 11:30-16:00; Apr-Dec Mo-Su 11:30-22:00
Mariella's Pizzeria & Ristorante
Restaurant · Italian
45 Puschkinstraße, Schwerin
PH,Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
Café Honig
Restaurant · Cafe, Breakfast, Lunch, Cake
19-23 Mecklenburgstraße, Schwerin
Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00
China-Japan-Restaurant Nr. 1
Restaurant · Asian · 1.9 km
27 Möwenburgstraße, Schwerin
11:00-14:00, 17:30-22:00
Gourmetfabrik
Restaurant · German · 0.6 km
74b Werderstraße, Schwerin
Tu-Sa 11:00-14:00,17:30-22:00; Su 10:30-15:00
Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee, Restaurant "aurum"
Restaurant · German · 1.4 km
11 Speicherstraße, Schwerin
Mo-Fr 06:30-10:30,12:00-14:00; Sa-Su 07:00-11:00,12:30-14:30;...
Klabautermann
Restaurant · German, Regional · 1.9 km
24 Speicherstraße, Schwerin
We 12:00-20:00; Th-Sa 12:00-21:00; Su 12:00-18:00
203 more on the map.
History
Schwerin is enclosed by lakes. The largest of these lakes, the Schweriner See, has an area of 60 km2. In the middle part of these lakes there was a settlement of the Slavic Obotrite (dated back to the 11th century). The area was called Zuarin, and the name Schwerin is derived from that designation. In 1160, Henry the Lion defeated the Obotrites and captured Schwerin. The town was later expanded into a powerful regional centre. A castle was built on this site, and expanded to become a ducal palace. It is supposedly haunted by the small, impious ghost, called Petermännchen ("Peterman").
In 1358, Schwerin became a part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg, making it the seat of the duchy from then on. About 1500, the construction of the Schwerin Palace began, as a residence for the dukes. After the division of Mecklenburg (1621), Schwerin became the capital of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Between 1765 and 1837, the town of Ludwigslust served as the capital, until Schwerin was reinstated.
In the mid-1800s, many residents from Schwerin moved to the United States, many to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Today Milwaukee and Schwerin are sister cities. After 1918, and during the German Revolution, resulting in the fall of all the German monarchies, the Grand Duke abdicated. Schwerin became capital of the Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin thereafter.
Read more of the history
During World War II, Schwerin was hit by bombs on four occasions during the bombing of Schwerin. The first attack took place in July 1940, causing only minor damage. After nearly 5 years of no attacks, the biggest air raid happened on 7 April 1945. 1500 bombs were dropped on the city after missing its intended target, the freight station, killing 224 people and destroying 42 houses. A third attack happened on 19 April 1945. Ultimately, 3% of the city ended up being destroyed due to the aerial attacks. At the end of World War II, on 2 May 1945, Schwerin was taken by United States troops. It was turned over to the British on 1 June 1945, and one month later, on 1 July 1945, it was handed over to the Soviet forces, as the British and American forces pulled back from the line of contact to the predesignated occupation zones.
Schwerin was then in the Soviet Occupation Zone which was to become the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Upon entering of Soviet forces, accounts of rape were reported by multiple inhabitants of the city.
Initially, it was the capital of the State of Mecklenburg which at that time included the western part of Pomerania (Vorpommern). After the states were dissolved in the GDR, in 1952, Schwerin served as the capital of the Schwerin district (Bezirk Schwerin).
After reunification in 1990, the former state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was recreated as one of the Bundesländer. Rostock was a serious contender for state capital but the decision went in favour of Schwerin.
From the History section of Schwerin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Schwerin
Geography
Schwerin clockwise borders the municipalities of Klein Trebbow (N), Seehof (Mecklenburg), Leezen (Mecklenburg) (lake border and border on Paul's Dam (Paulsdamm) only), Raben Steinfeld (E), Plate, Banzkow, Lübesse (S), Holthusen, Pampow, Klein Rogahn (W), Wittenförden, Brüsewitz, and Pingelshagen.
There is a small enclave between the city districts of Neumühle and Görries, belonging to the neighboring municipality of Klein Rogahn.
According to the 2024 version of the Schwerin city constitution, it is subdivided into 17 boroughs that each have a local borough council (Ortsteilvertretung). These councils have between 5 and 15 members depending on the number of inhabitants whom are picked by the city council for the duration of the municipal electoral period. The local councilors elect a borough mayor (Ortsbeiratsvorsitzender) and are to hear important matters concerning the district and have a right of initiative; final decision however rests with the city council. These 17 city boroughs are largely contiguous with the 26 city districts or quarters, several smaller districts are however grouped together in the same borough.
From the Wikipedia article Schwerin, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Schwerin
Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-SchwerinQueen consort of King Christian X of Denmark (1879–1952)Photo: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain
Oliver RiedelGerman bassistPhoto: Maks Karochkin, CC BY 2.0
August KundtGerman physicist (1839–1894)Photo: Anton Hruschka, Public domain
Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-SchwerinPrince consort of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1934 (1876-1934)Photo: Image source: - Bain Collection -...., Public domain
Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-SchwerinCrown Princess of Prussia (1886-1954)Photo: Unidentified photographer, Public domain
Katrin SassGerman actressPhoto: Udo Grimberg, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Frederick Francis I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin(1756-1837) German Grand DukePhoto: Dguendel, CC BY 4.0
Duchess Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-SchwerinHereditary Princess of Denmark and Norway (1758-1794)Photo: Georg David Matthieu, Public domain
Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg-SchwerinGerman explorer (1873-1969)Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain- Walther FlemmingGerman biologist (1843–1905)
- Friedrich PaschenGerman physicist (1865–1947)
- Wilhelm Gustloff(1895-1936), German politician, meteorologist and founder of the Swiss branch of the Nazi Party/Foreign Organization (NSDAP/AO) at Davos in 1932 - a wing of...
Born in Schwerin, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay32
Churches and places of worship16
Propsteikirche Sankt Anna
Church · Roman Catholic
22 Schloßstraße, Schwerin
Christengemeinde Arche Schwerin
Church · Pentecostal · 0.7 km
7 Landreiterstraße, Schwerin
Shopping61
Gas and EV charging12
Schools, colleges and libraries36
Landesbibliothek Mecklenburg Vorpommern Günther Uecker
Library · 1.5 km
29 Johannes-Stelling-Straße, Schwerin
Niels-Stensen-Schule, Regionale Schule und Gymnasium
School · Catholic · 0.8 km
1 Feldstraße, Schwerin
Healthcare18
Map of Schwerin
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Lübeck Airport (LBC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 50 km away.
- Hagenow 26 km southwest, about 26 min by car
- Wismar 29 km north, about 29 min by car
- Grevesmühlen 30 km northwest, about 30 min by car
- Ludwigslust 34 km south, about 34 min by car
- Parchim 37 km southeast, about 37 min by car
- Ratzeburg 43 km west, about 43 min by car
- Mölln 48 km west, about 48 min by car
- Güstrow 53 km east, about 53 min by car
- Boizenburg 53 km southwest, about 53 min by car
- Lübeck 55 km northwest, about 55 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Schwerin
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Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- Mapillary (see each image): photos
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- 2019 - Schweriner Schloss - 1, Moahim, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cathedral of Schwerin (6), Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schwerin, die Schmiedestraße, Dguendel, CC BY 4.0
- Schwerin am 25.2.2018 54, Christian Alexander Tietgen, CC BY 4.0
- Schwerin am 25.2.2018 55, Christian Alexander Tietgen, CC BY 4.0
- 2012.02.26.150353 Dom Bischofstraße Schwerin, Hermann Luyken, CC0
- 2012.02.26.150342 Dom Schwerin, Hermann Luyken, CC0
- Schwerin, Germany - panoramio - Foto Fitti (29), Foto Fitti, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin, Dom, das Hauptportal, Dguendel, CC BY 4.0
- Schwerin, Germany - panoramio - Foto Fitti (15), Foto Fitti, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dom St. Marien und St. Johannis Schwerin 01, Helmlechner, CC0
- Höhenmarke Schwerin Kirchturm, Ulrich Kulle, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Höhenmarke Schwerin, Ulrich Kulle, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schwerin am 25.2.2018 52, Christian Alexander Tietgen, CC BY 4.0
- Schweriner Dom - panoramio, dysy31039, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2012.02.26.150628 Dom Schwerin, Hermann Luyken, CC0
- Street performers Schwerin GERMANY October 2008, Keenon Lindsey from Schwerin, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Schwerin, Staatskanzlei, Berlinschneid, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schwerin am 25.2.2018 53, Christian Alexander Tietgen, CC BY 4.0
- 2012.02.26.150547 Mecklenburgstraße Schwerin, Hermann Luyken, CC0
- Window in the Schwerin Cathedral (3446951573), Harald Hoyer from Schwerin, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Schweriner Dom (3119836627), Harald Hoyer from Schwerin, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Schwerin, Germany - panoramio (82), Raki_Man, CC BY 3.0
- 2012.02.26.151246 Dom Schwerin, Hermann Luyken, CC0
- Schwerin Schelfkirche Blick vom Dom 2014-05-10 27, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Markt Blick vom Dom 2014-05-10 20, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Dom Turm Treppe 2014-05-10 47, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Dom Turm 2014-05-10 34, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Dom Turm 2014-05-10 40, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Dom Kreuzgang von oben 2014-05-10 35, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin E-Werk Pfaffenteich Ziegelsee Blick vom Dom 2014-05-10 31, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Markt Blick vom Dom 2014-05-10 22, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin, Germany - panoramio (81), Raki_Man, CC BY 3.0
- Panorama Schwerin, Photos by Niteshift , stitching done by Rosentod, CC BY 3.0
- Museum Schwerin2, Tmv23, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin-Schloss-gp, User:Kolossos, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Schelfkirche 2011-11-13 049, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Altes Palais, Rosentod , Attribution must include the URL http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Rosentod, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aerial image of Arsenal am Pfaffenteich (view from the east), Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wismarsche Straße 128, Schwerin - Capitol Schwerin WLM2026 (2026-09-27), Tmv23, CC BY 4.0
- Paulskirche (SN), Rosentod, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Propsteikirche Strasse, Rabanus Flavus, Public domain
- Goethe gymnasium schwerin, Tmv23, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Helios Kliniken Schwerin 9142, Gerd Fahrenhorst, CC BY 4.0
- Hochschule Neuostheim 06, Immanuel Giel, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aerial image of Schweriner Marstall (view from the southeast), Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schwerin E Werk, Doris Antony , Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 15-06-07-Weltkulturerbe-Schwerin-RalfR-n3s 7634, Ralf Roletschek, GFDL 1.2
- Schwerin Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater 2013-08-12 22 nc, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Katholische Niels-Stensen-Schule Schwerin, Truwos, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schleifmühle Schwerin, Niteshift ( talk ), Public domain
- Schwerin Schlosskirche Chor, user:Concord, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wasserturm Schwerin Neumuehle, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY 2.5
- Schwerin Schelffriedhof Grabmal Ludwig Willebrand 2015-10-27, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Bundesgartenschau Freilichtbuehne 2009-05-24 050, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY 3.0
- Stadtbibliothek Schwerin, Tmv23, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Gymnasium Fridericianum (ehemals Lyzeum) 2012-09-30 038, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schleswig-Holstein-Haus, Schwerin (2026-05-09), Tmv23, CC BY 4.0
- St. Martin (Schwerin) mit Niels-Stensen-Denkmal, Holzheizer, CC0
- Mecklenburgstraße2 Schwerin, Silesia711, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Das Zettler Haus in der Schweriner Altstadt, Christian Frank Schröder, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sitz der Akademie Schwerin in der schweriner Mecklenburgstraße, Akademie Schwerin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- InterCity Hotel Schwerin 9139, Gerd Fahrenhorst, CC BY 4.0
- Crowne Plaza Hotel - Schwerin - geo-en.hlipp.de - 13090, Sebastian und Kari, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 15-05-05-Schwerin-RalfR-DSCF5086, Ralf Roletschek, GFDL 1.2
- Weinhaus Wöhler - Fischerstraße (Schwerin), Tdn70, CC BY 4.0
- Schwerin 20090410, Backslash, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Landesrabbiner-Holdheim-Straße Schwerin, Bogert, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bleicherufer 7 (Schwerin) Mega Movies 01, Migebert, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Schwerin Schweriner See von Adebors Näs 2012-09-29 015, Niteshift ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Street-level photo, zugnomade, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, 8of9, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tobiaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tobiaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hendel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, 8of9, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tomatsn, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, fieosm, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hearby1611, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, umap, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, 5rmft, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, fieosm, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hotteliene, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, georginakirrin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, saschahaberkorn, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tobiaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tobiaso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hendel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, fieosm, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hendel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, 8of9, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hotteliene, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, georginakirrin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tomatsn, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, hotteliene, CC BY-SA 4.0
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