Stralsund facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stralsund
Clockwise from top: view over the city with St Nicholas Church; skyline of the city seen from Altefähr at night; city hall; view over the city and its three city ponds; Ozeaneum, St Mary's Church and St James' Church; St James' Church
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Germany
State	Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
District	Vorpommern-Rügen
Founded	1168
Elevation	13 m (43 ft)
Population  (2022-12-31)
• Total	59,363
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	18435, 18437, 18439
Dialling codes	03831
Vehicle registration	HST
Website	www.stralsund.de

Stralsund is a city in northeastern Germany. It's officially known as the Hanseatic City of Stralsund. This means it was once an important member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful group of trading cities in the Middle Ages.

Stralsund is located on the southern coast of the Strelasund. This is a narrow body of water that separates the island of Rügen from the mainland. Two bridges and several ferries connect Stralsund with Rügen, which is Germany's largest island.

The name Stralsund comes from a Slavic word meaning "arrow" and a German word meaning "sound" or "strait". The city's coat of arms even shows a silver arrow, reminding everyone of its name's origin and its Hanseatic past.

Stralsund received its city rights in 1234, making it the oldest city in the Pomerania region. Its old town is famous for its beautiful Brick Gothic buildings. In 2002, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique architecture and historical importance.

Today, Stralsund is home to the German Oceanographic Museum and the popular Ozeaneum. Its main industries include shipbuilding, fishing, and a growing tourism sector.

Exploring Stralsund's Geography

Where is Stralsund Located?

Aerial view of Stralsund and its world heritage old town island

Stralsund is in northeastern Germany, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It sits southwest of the large island of Rügen. The city is separated from Rügen by the Strelasund, a small body of water that connects to the Baltic Sea.

Stralsund's Climate and Weather

Precipitation diagram

Stralsund has a moderate climate. The city gets about 656 millimeters (25.8 inches) of rain each year. This is a fairly low amount compared to other parts of Germany. February is usually the driest month, while July sees the most rainfall.

The temperatures are mild. Winters are cool, and summers are pleasant.

Natural Beauty and Landscape

Rügen Bridge, Germany's largest bridge, connects Stralsund with Rügen Island

Stralsund is known as the "Gateway to the Island of Rügen." This is because the Strelasund Crossing, which includes Germany's largest bridge, connects Stralsund to Rügen.

The city is also very close to the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park. This park is famous for its beautiful lagoons and diverse wildlife.

Stralsund's city area includes a municipal forest and three ponds: the Knieperteich, Frankenteich, and Moorteich. These ponds and the Strelasund make the Old Town feel like a protected island. The highest point in the city is the Galgenberg (Gallows Hill) on the western side.

City Areas and Subdivisions

Stralsund covers an area of about 54 square kilometers (20.8 square miles). Nearly 58,000 people live here, making it one of the more densely populated cities in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The city is divided into different areas, or boroughs. Here are some of them with their populations as of December 2015:

The city also owns land in the surrounding area and on the islands of Rügen, Hiddensee, and Ummanz.

Neighboring Towns and Cities

Nearby larger cities include Greifswald and Rostock. Smaller towns close to Stralsund are Barth and Ribnitz-Damgarten. Many small villages nearby, like Prohn and Negast, have grown a lot since 1990. This is because many people who work in Stralsund choose to live in these quieter areas.

Stralsund's Rich History

Stralsund seen from Altefähr

View over Stralsund from the tower of St Mary's

Typical street view of Stralsund: patrician houses with high gables from different eras, including the remarkable Brick Gothic and Renaissance

Early Beginnings and City Rights

In the Middle Ages, the Stralsund area was part of the Principality of Rügen. The island of Dänholm and a fishing village nearby were called Strale or Stralow. These names came from a Slavic word meaning "arrow."

In 1168, the Principality of Rügen became part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Many German settlers and merchants moved to the area. In 1234, Prince Wizlaw I of Rügen officially granted Stralsund city rights. This made it the oldest city in Pomerania.

The Hanseatic League and Growth

Stralsund grew quickly and became very successful. In 1249, the powerful city of Lübeck burned Stralsund down. But the people rebuilt it with strong town walls, 11 gates, and 30 watchtowers.

In 1293, Stralsund joined the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading alliance. By the 14th century, about 300 ships from Stralsund sailed the Baltic Sea. This shows how important the city was for trade. Even when the Principality of Rügen became part of the Duchy of Pomerania in 1325, Stralsund kept a lot of its independence.

Wars and Changing Rulers

In the 17th century, during the Thirty Years' War, Stralsund was a key target. In 1628, the city was attacked by Imperial forces. But with help from Denmark and Sweden, Stralsund resisted. This led to the city coming under Swedish rule.

Stralsund remained part of Swedish Pomerania until the Napoleonic Wars. It was even the capital of Swedish Pomerania from 1720 to 1815. After Napoleon's defeat, Stralsund became part of Prussia in 1815 and stayed that way until 1945.

Stralsund in Modern Times

During World War II, Stralsund was bombed by Allied forces. Many buildings were destroyed, and people were affected. After the war, in 1945, the Red Army occupied the city. Stralsund then became part of East Germany (GDR). During this time, many new apartment buildings were built, and the city's economy focused on its state-owned shipyard.

After German reunification in 1990, Stralsund's historic old town was carefully restored. In 2002, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shipyard was privatized and now builds container ships.

Culture and Amazing Sights

Stralsund

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Stralsund: Alter Markt Square with the city hall and the St. Nicholas Church
Part of	Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv
Inscription	2002 (26th Session)
Area	80 ha
Buffer zone	340 ha

Main Attractions to See

Stralsund's historic old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has many beautiful buildings from different time periods. You can see Brick Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Jugendstil styles.

• The heart of the old town is the Alter Markt Square ("Old Market"). Here you'll find the Gothic city hall, built in the 13th century. Behind it stands the impressive St. Nicholas' Church. The square is surrounded by historic houses, like the Wulflamhaus from the 14th century.
• Saint James' Church was built in the mid-14th century. It has been damaged and rebuilt several times throughout history.
• Saint Mary's Church is the largest church in Stralsund. It was built between 1383 and 1473. From 1625 to 1647, its octagonal tower was the tallest structure in the world! You can climb its 104-meter-high tower for amazing views of Stralsund and the islands of Rügen and Hiddensee.
• St. John's Abbey (a Franciscan monastery from 1254) is one of the city's oldest buildings.
• The former German Navy Sail Training ship "Gorch Fock" 1 is now a floating museum in the harbor.
• The Monastery of Saint Catherine houses two museums: Stralsund's Museum of Cultural History and the German Oceanographic Museum. The oceanographic museum is Germany's largest aquarium and marine collection.
• The popular Ozeaneum is another marine museum in Stralsund. It was voted European Museum of the Year in 2010. There's also the Nautineum on Dänholm island and the Marinemuseum Dänholm, which shows the history of the German Navy.

Historic Buildings and Monuments

Alter Markt Square

Old Town (Altstadt) Charm

The center of Stralsund is full of historic buildings. Since 1990, many parts of the old town have been beautifully restored. In the past, many old houses were in danger of falling apart. But now, the Old Town shows off a rich variety of historic merchant houses, churches, and squares.

More than 500 buildings in the Old Town are protected as individual monuments. Because of its historical and architectural importance, Stralsund's old town was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 2002.

The Alter Markt Square

The city hall

The Alter Markt Square is home to Stralsund's main landmark: the Brick Gothic city hall. This building, from 1278, has an amazing "show façade" that was built just to display the city's wealth. You can walk through the city hall and its gallery. It also has one of Europe's largest Gothic cellar vaults. Other important buildings on the square include St. Nicholas Church and the Wulflamhaus.

Old Town Houses

The historic houses in the Old Town have unique gables. Many of them have been carefully restored. The former Swedish Government Palace now houses the city's construction department. The Museum of Cultural History, located in an important Hanseatic-era house, helps visitors understand the city's history over seven centuries.

Magnificent Churches

Stralsund has three large medieval Brick Gothic churches: St. Mary's Church, St. Nicholas Church, and St. James Church. These churches show how important Stralsund was in the Middle Ages. St. James' Church is now used for cultural events. The tower of St. Mary's offers a fantastic view of Stralsund and the island of Rügen.

Portal of the St. Nicholas Church

Historic Monasteries

• St. John's Abbey, a Franciscan monastery from 1254, now holds the Stralsund City Archives. It also hosts cultural events, like open-air theater.
• The Gothic Abbey of St. Anne and St. Bridget was formed around 1560.
• The Abbey of St. Jürgen was first mentioned in 1278. It served as a home for older people in the 14th century.
• The Heilgeistkloster, first mentioned in 1256, is now the Hospital of the Holy Spirit.

The Lively Port

Old Port with Ozeaneum, warehouses and historical ships including the Gorch Fock

The port of Stralsund is a busy place. Ferries to Hiddensee and Altefähr leave from here. You can also take harbor tours. In summer, many river cruisers, yachts, and boats dock along the north mole. The old warehouses and the silhouette of the Old Town create a unique view. The historic sailing ship Gorch Fock is another popular attraction at the harbor.

Education in Stralsund

University of Applied Sciences Stralsund, Department of Economics

The Fachhochschule Stralsund is a University of Applied Sciences. It has a modern campus located north of the old town, right by the Strelasund. About 2,500 students attend this university. It is known for its strong programs, especially in economics. Other departments include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology. The university also offers international study programs, like Leisure and Tourism Management and Baltic Management Studies.

Getting Around Stralsund

Road Connections

Stralsund is connected to the A20 motorway, which goes towards Berlin and Hamburg. You can reach it via the B96n dual-carriageway. Other important roads include the B105, which goes to Rostock, and the B96, a main road to Rügen. The B194 leads to the town of Grimmen.

Train Travel

Stralsund Hauptbahnhof is the main train station. From here, you can take trains to Berlin, Rostock, Pasewalk, and Bergen on Rügen.

Airports and Local Transport

For air travel, people usually use Rostock-Laage Airport, which has connecting flights from Munich. There is also a smaller local airport called Stralsund Barth Airport. Within the city, buses are run by SWS (Stadtwerke Stralsund).

Sister Cities Around the World

Stralsund is twinned with several cities around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships and often work together on projects.

• Huangshan, China
• Kiel, Germany
• Malmö, Sweden
• Pori, Finland
• Stargard, Poland
• Svendborg, Denmark
• Trelleborg, Sweden
• Ventspils, Latvia

Sports in Stralsund

Football (Soccer)

FC Pommern Stralsund was a local football team that played from 1994 to 2018. They were the team that followed ASG Vorwärts Stralsund.

Motorcycle Speedway

The Paul Greifzu Stadium, built in 1957, is home to the speedway team MC Nordstern Stralsund e.V. This team has won the German Team Speedway Championship in 2015 and 2022.

Famous People from Stralsund

Adolf Heinrich von Arnim-Boitzenburg, pre-1868

Angela Merkel, 2019

Many notable people have connections to Stralsund, including:

• Thomas Kantzow (c.1505–1542), a chronicler of the Duchy of Pomerania.
• Carl Gustav Rehnskiöld (1651–1722), a Swedish Field marshal.
• Ernst Moritz Arndt (1769–1860), a writer and poet who fought against serfdom.
• Ferdinand von Schill (1776–1809), a leader of a revolt against French rule.
• Adolf Heinrich von Arnim-Boitzenburg (1803–1868), who served as the Prime Minister of Prussia.
• Leonhard Tietz (1849–1914), a merchant who opened his first department store in Stralsund in 1879.
• Angela Merkel (born 1954), a well-known politician who served as the Chancellor of Germany. Her office is still located on the main shopping street in Stralsund.
• Dietmar Bartsch (born 1958), a politician and member of the Bundestag (German parliament).

Science and Discovery

Harmann Burmeister, ca.1885

• Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742–1786), a famous pharmaceutical chemist.
• Hermann Burmeister (1807–1892), a German-Argentine zoologist and botanist.
• William Lindley (1808–1900), an engineer who designed water and sewerage systems.

Arts and Culture

Heinrich Kruse, 1890

• Joachim Nicolas Eggert (1779–1813), a Swedish composer and musical director.
• Heinrich Kruse (1815–1902), a dramatist and playwright.
• Friedrich Spielhagen (1829–1911), a novelist and literary theorist.
• Harry Kupfer (1935–2019), an opera director who worked at the Stralsund Theatre.
• Nadja Uhl (born 1972), a well-known actress.

Sports Achievements

• Helmut Losch (1947–2005), a weightlifter who won a bronze medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Jürgen Heuser (born 1953), a weightlifter who won a silver medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
• Monika Kallies (born 1956), a rower who won a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Silke Möller (born 1964), an athlete who won a team bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
• Carsten Embach (born 1968), a bobsledder who won a team gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Ulrike Maisch (born 1977), a long-distance runner.

Images for kids

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  St. Mary's Church

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  Stralsund

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  St. Nicolas Church

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  Founding document from 1234

See also

In Spanish: Stralsund para niños