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Schwerin

For other uses, see Schwerin (disambiguation).

Schwerin (German: [ʃveˈʁiːn] ⓘ; Mecklenburgisch-Vorpommersch Low German: Swerin; Polabian: Zwierzyn; Latin: Suerina, Suerinum) 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.

Schwerin
Town
Schwerin Castle
St Paul and cathedral
Orangerie
Schlossbrücke
Niklot
Schlossgarten
Schelfstadt with Schelfkirche
Pfaffenteich
Flag of Schwerin
Flag
Coat of arms of Schwerin
Coat of arms
Location of Schwerin
Map
Schwerin is located in Germany
Schwerin
Schwerin
Schwerin is located in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Schwerin
Schwerin
Coordinates: 53°38′N 11°25′E / 53.633°N 11.417°E / 53.633; 11.417
CountryGermany
StateMecklenburg-Vorpommern
DistrictUrban district
Subdivisions18 boroughs
Government
 • Lord mayor (2023–30) Rico Badenschier[1] (SPD)
Area
 • Total
130.46 km2 (50.37 sq mi)
Elevation
38 m (125 ft)
Population
 (2023-12-31)[2]
 • Total
98,733
 • Density760/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
19053, 19055, 19057, 19059, 19061, 19063
Dialling codes0385
Vehicle registrationSN
Websiteschwerin.de
Schwerin Residence Ensemble
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Schwerin Castle
CriteriaCultural: iv
Reference1705
Inscription2024 (46th Session)

Schwerin is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Schwerin (Schweriner See), the second-largest lake of the Mecklenburg Lake Plateau after the Müritz, and there are eleven other lakes within Schwerin's city limits. The city is surrounded by the district of Northwestern Mecklenburg to the north, and the district of Ludwigslust-Parchim to the south. Schwerin and the two surrounding districts form the eastern outskirts of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. The name of the city is of Slavic origin, deriving from the root "zvěŕ" (wild animal) or "zvěŕin" (game reserve, animal garden, stud farm).

Schwerin was first mentioned in 1018 as Zuarina and was granted city rights in 1160 by Henry the Lion, thus it is the oldest city of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. As main residence of the House of Mecklenburg, a dynasty with Slavic roots also known as the Obotrites or Niklotides, Schwerin was the capital of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1379 to 1815, of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (after the duke was elevated to the title of a grand duke) from 1815 to 1918, of the Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1918 to 1934, of the State of Mecklenburg (after it was merged with the Free State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz) from 1934 to 1952, and of the District of Schwerin from 1952 to 1990.

The romantic Schwerin Palace, situated on Castle Island between Lake Schwerin and Castle Lake, known for its golden dome, the Castle Church, the throne room, and the Niklot statue, used to be the seat of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and since 1990, it is the seat of the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Schwerin's silhouette is completed by the towers of Schwerin Cathedral, St Paul's Church and St Nicholas' Church. Because of only minor damage in World War II, the city has a largely intact building structure, both in the Altstadt (Old Town) and Schelfstadt (Reed City) quarters.

Major industries and employers include high technology, machine building, healthcare, government agencies, railway supply, consumer goods and tourism.There is a regional airport in Parchim, southeast of the city, while Hamburg Airport serves as the city's main airport.

History

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Early years

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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 (Polabian Zwierzyn), 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.

Recent times

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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.

During World War II, Schwerin was hit by bombs in July 1940, on 7 April 1945 and 19 April 1945.[3] 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,[4] 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). 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.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
15002,500—    
17903,512+40.5%
18195,854+66.7%
184016,648+184.4%
186023,517+41.3%
188030,146+28.2%
190038,667+28.3%
191042,519+10.0%
192548,157+13.3%
193353,621+11.3%
194067,200+25.3%
195093,576+39.3%
196192,902−0.7%
196692,356−0.6%
1971100,888+9.2%
1976110,051+9.1%
1981122,264+11.1%
1986128,328+5.0%
1991125,959−1.8%
1996111,029−11.9%
200199,978−10.0%
200696,280−3.7%
201195,300−1.0%
201696,558+1.3%
202195,740−0.8%
Population size may be affected by changes in administrative divisions.

Schwerin has a population of about 95,000 and is the smallest state capital of Germany. In East Germany era, Schwerin was a industry city known for its leather productions. In 1991, when Schwerin became the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state, it had a population of 126,000. After the German Reunification, Schwerin's population started to decline and fell below 100,000 in 2000, so that it lost its official status as a major city. Schwerin is also the only state capital that has no universities.


Geography

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Schwerin on Lake Schwerin (Schweriner See), subdivided into Outer Lake (Außensee) and Inner Lake (Innensee) by Paul's Dam (Paulsdamm)
 
The 26 boroughs of Schwerin

Lakes

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The 12 lakes within Schwerin's city limits and their size in km2:

Islands

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  • Rabbit Ait (Kaninchenwerder) in Lake Schwerin
  • Brick Ait (Ziegelwerder) in Lake Schwerin
  • Castle Island (Schlossinsel) between Lake Schwerin and Castle Lake
  • Big Murrkiten Island (Große Murrkiteninsel) in the Brick Lake
  • Small Murrkiten Island (Kleine Murrkiteninsel) in the Brick Lake
  • Big Stone (Großer Stein) in Lake Schwerin

Boroughs

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The urban area of Schwerin is subdivided into 17 local districts,[5] each with a local council. The districts consist of one or more boroughs. The local councilors have between 5 and 15 members depending on the number of inhabitants. They are determined by the city council for the duration of the election period of the city council after each municipal election. The local councilors are to hear important matters concerning the district and have a right of initiative. However, the final decisions are made by the city council of the city as a whole.

The 17 districts and 26 boroughs:

  • Schelfstadt, Werdervorstadt, Schelfwerder (1)
  • Altstadt (Old Town), Feldstadt, Paulsstadt, Lewenberg (2)
  • Großer Dreesch (formerly Dreesch I) (3)
  • Neu Zippendorf (formerly Dreesch II) (4)
  • Mueßer Holz (formerly Dreesch III) (5)
  • Gartenstadt, Ostorf (formerly Haselholz, Ostorf) (6)
  • Lankow (7)
  • Weststadt (8)
  • Krebsförden (9)
  • Wüstmark, Göhrener Tannen (10)
  • Görries (11)
  • Friedrichsthal (12)
  • Neumühle, Sacktannen (13)
  • Warnitz (14)
  • Wickendorf, Medewege (15)
  • Zippendorf (16)
  • Mueß (17)

There is a small enclave between the boroughs of Neumühle and Görries, belonging to the neighbouring municipality of Klein Rogahn.

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.

Climate

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Schwerin has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb; Trewartha: Dobk). Schwerin is located not far from the Baltic Sea coast. Its climate is moderated by the ocean, with warm winters and cool summers throughout the year, with an average temperature ranging from 1 °C (34 °F) in winter to 18 °C (64 °F) in summer.

The Schwerin weather station has recorded the following extreme values:[6]

  • Its highest temperature was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) on 20 July 2022.
  • Its lowest temperature was −27.0 °C (−16.6 °F) on 5 February 1912.
  • Its greatest annual precipitation was 850.1 mm (33.47 in) in 2002.
  • Its least annual precipitation was 396.1 mm (15.59 in) in 1892.
  • The longest annual sunshine was 2,040.8 hours in 1959.
  • The shortest annual sunshine was 1,339.7 hours in 1926.
Climate data for Schwerin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1890–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.4
(59.7) 		18.3
(64.9) 		23.5
(74.3) 		29.3
(84.7) 		35.7
(96.3) 		35.1
(95.2) 		38.4
(101.1) 		36.9
(98.4) 		32.9
(91.2) 		26.8
(80.2) 		19.7
(67.5) 		15.2
(59.4) 		38.4
(101.1)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 9.9
(49.8) 		11.1
(52.0) 		16.3
(61.3) 		22.8
(73.0) 		27.2
(81.0) 		29.6
(85.3) 		31.1
(88.0) 		31.2
(88.2) 		25.7
(78.3) 		20.0
(68.0) 		13.7
(56.7) 		10.4
(50.7) 		33.1
(91.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.3
(37.9) 		4.4
(39.9) 		8.2
(46.8) 		13.8
(56.8) 		18.1
(64.6) 		21.0
(69.8) 		23.3
(73.9) 		23.1
(73.6) 		18.8
(65.8) 		13.2
(55.8) 		7.5
(45.5) 		4.2
(39.6) 		13.2
(55.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 1.2
(34.2) 		1.8
(35.2) 		4.4
(39.9) 		9.0
(48.2) 		13.1
(55.6) 		16.2
(61.2) 		18.4
(65.1) 		18.1
(64.6) 		14.3
(57.7) 		9.7
(49.5) 		5.2
(41.4) 		2.2
(36.0) 		9.5
(49.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −1.1
(30.0) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		1.1
(34.0) 		4.4
(39.9) 		8.1
(46.6) 		11.4
(52.5) 		13.8
(56.8) 		13.7
(56.7) 		10.6
(51.1) 		6.6
(43.9) 		2.9
(37.2) 		0.1
(32.2) 		5.9
(42.6)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −9.3
(15.3) 		−7.9
(17.8) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		2.4
(36.3) 		6.9
(44.4) 		9.6
(49.3) 		9.2
(48.6) 		5.8
(42.4) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		−7.1
(19.2) 		−11.6
(11.1)
Record low °C (°F) −23.4
(−10.1) 		−27.0
(−16.6) 		−17.7
(0.1) 		−7.4
(18.7) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		1.2
(34.2) 		5.6
(42.1) 		4.9
(40.8) 		0.1
(32.2) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−13.4
(7.9) 		−20.9
(−5.6) 		−27.0
(−16.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 55.6
(2.19) 		42.4
(1.67) 		44.0
(1.73) 		35.1
(1.38) 		46.7
(1.84) 		59.0
(2.32) 		75.4
(2.97) 		67.2
(2.65) 		52.2
(2.06) 		51.0
(2.01) 		48.3
(1.90) 		56.5
(2.22) 		628.5
(24.74)
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches) 5.3
(2.1) 		6.5
(2.6) 		3.2
(1.3) 		0.7
(0.3) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.3
(0.5) 		4.0
(1.6) 		11.0
(4.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 17.4 15.1 14.5 11.8 13.1 13.6 15.2 14.8 13.6 14.7 16.3 17.7 176.9
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm) 7.7 7.6 3.4 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 3.7 23.9
Average relative humidity (%) 87.0 83.4 78.4 71.0 70.8 71.8 72.8 74.0 78.8 84.1 88.4 88.8 79.1
Mean monthly sunshine hours 44.5 63.6 128.5 190.6 236.3 229.4 227.4 207.2 157.3 106.2 49.8 35.0 1,661
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[7]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst / SKlima.de[6]

Education

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Schwerin has two academic colleges, the Schwerin campus of the "Fachhochschule des Mittelstands" (University of Applied Sciences of the Mittelstand), and the Schwerin campus of the "Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (University of the Federal Employment Agency).

Transport

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City buses and trams are run by NVS (Nahverkehr Schwerin).[8]

Schwerin Hauptbahnhof (central station) is connected by rail to Berlin, Hamburg and Rostock.

Main sights

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Museums

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  • The Staatliches Museum Schwerin-Kunstsammlungen (State Art Museum) houses a remarkable collection of 17th-century Dutch paintings and German art from medieval and renaissance masters up to the present day. There are also a collection of Greek vases, the notable collection of Paintings of Jean-Baptiste Oudry, a collection of sculptures of Houdon, German 18th-century court paintings, and works by such modern artists as Max Liebermann, Franz Stuck, Marcel Duchamp etc. The Graphic cabinet houses rich collections of Dutch and German drawings and prints (Jan van Goyen, Dürer, Cranach, Rembrandt, Merian) and a notable collection of coloured graphics from the time of the GDR.
  • The State Museum of Technology (Technische Museum), housed in the former Marstall (Royal Stables). In 2012 the Technische Museum moved to the city of Wismar located 40 km north of Schwerin.

Crime rate

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According to the official 2007 Crime Report for Germany, Schwerin was the only German city with a crime rate over 17,000 total offenses committed per 100,000 inhabitants;[9] thus being 1st in the list of Germany's most dangerous cities. The larger cities, such as Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, or Bremen, all have crime rates ranging from 14,000 to 16,000 total offenses committed per 100,000 people. However, Schwerin is the only city where riding a bus (or tram) without a ticket and social security fraud is counted towards the crime rate, significantly boosting the numbers.[10]

Governance

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The current mayor of Schwerin is Rico Badenschier (SPD) since 2016. The most recent mayoral election was held on 4 June 2023, with a runoff held on 18 June, and the results were as follows:

Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Rico Badenschier Social Democratic Party 16,510 42.0 26,078 67.8
Leif-Erik Holm Alternative for Germany 10,792 27.4 12,360 32.2
Thomas Tweer Independent (CDU/FDP/UB) 6,714 17.1
Daniel Trepsdorf The Left 3,506 8.9
Regina Dorfmann Alliance 90/The Greens 1,088 2.8
Martin Steinitz ASK 737 1.9
Valid votes 39,347 99.6 38,438 99.4
Invalid votes 161 0.4 225 0.6
Total 39,508 100.0 38,663 100.0
Electorate/voter turnout 78,545 50.3 78,390 49.3
Source: City of Schwerin (1st round, 2nd round)

The most recent city council election was held on 9 June 2024, and the results were as follows:

Party Votes % +/- Seats +/-
Alternative for Germany (AfD) 38,352 26.0   10.9 12   5
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) 29,051 19.7   2.5 9   1
Social Democratic Party (SPD) 24,749 16.8   0.4 8   0
The Left (Die Linke) 15,113 10.2   5.3 5   2
Independent Citizens (UB) 10,617 7.2   6.9 3   3
Alliance 90/The Greens (Grüne) 10,088 6.8   5.3 3   2
Free Democratic Party (FDP) 5,388 3.7   0.3 2   0
Die PARTEI (PARTEI) 4,876 3.3   0.3 1   0
Independent Steinmüller 3,480 2.4 New 1 New
Ask Group – City and Culture Protection (ASK) 3,181 2.2   0.7 1   0
Independent Mittelstädt 436 0.3 New 0 New
K-I 402 0.3 New 0 New
Independent Szymik 402 0.3 New 0 New
Valid votes 147,473 100.0
Invalid ballots 2,109 1.4
Total ballots 50,842 100.0 45 ±0
Electorate/voter turnout 78,517 64.8   6.8
Source: City of Schwerin

Twin towns – sister cities

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Schwerin is twinned with:[11]

Notable people

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Heinrich von Bülow
 
Franziska Ellmenreich

Aristocracy

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Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 1905

Sport

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Andrea Pollack, 1977
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Panoramic view of Schwerin's historic city centre

References

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  1. ^ Stichwahl zur Wahl der Oberbürgermeisterin/des Oberbürgermeisters in der Landeshauptstadt Schwerin am 18. Juni 2023, Landeshauptstadt Schwerin. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerungsstand der Kreise, Ämter und Gemeinden 2023" (XLS) (in German). Statistisches Amt Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. 2023.
  3. ^ "April 1945: Bomben auf Schwerin".
  4. ^ Some evidence[citation needed] calls into doubt the date on which the British withdrew to the predesignated occupation zone. Local residents claim that the British forces did not relinquish control of Schwerin until later in the year, probably November, following a brief artillery exchange across lake Schwerin between the British and the Soviets. Allegedly there were no deaths.
  5. ^ "Stadtteile". www.schwerin.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-07-26.
  6. ^ a b "Monatsauswertung". sklima.de (in German). SKlima. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  7. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  8. ^ NVS (Nahverkehr Schwerin)
  9. ^ Official Police Report for Germany, cf. p. 17.
  10. ^ "19.05.07 / Aufgeklrt: Das wilde Rubernest Schwerin". www.webarchiv-server.de. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Städtepartnerschaften". schwerin.de (in German). Schwerin. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  12. ^ "Schröder, Friedrich Ludwig" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 378–379.
  13. ^ "Kundt, August Adolph Eduard Eberhard" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 946.
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