Schwerin - State Capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

image author: © Kumbabali - Fotolia

Schwerin is the second largest city in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It has less than 100.000 citizens and is thus the smallest state capital.

Schwerin was first mentioned in the year 1018, received its town charter around 150 years later (1160) and is thus Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's oldest town.

image author: © mathias burkardt - Fotolia

Schwerin's lakes shape the townscape, altogether 12 lakes are to be found in the town area. Schwerin is also known as the 'town of seven lakes and forests'. This depiction goes back to the time when Schwerin didn't have the present geographical expansion an was surrounded by only seven lakes. The Schwerin Lake is one of the 12 lakes and Germany's fourth largest lake.

The Schwerin Palace is probably the prettiest and well-known building in the city. It was the main residence of the Mecklenburg dukes until 1918 and since 1990, seat of the state parliament.

image author: © nilsp - Fotolia.com

As in many eastern German cities, the population decreased also in Schwerin after 1990. In 1988, the town counted 130.000 citizens only. Due to the high unemployment, decline in the birth rates and emigration into the rural outskirts, the population was reduced to around 34.000 citizens until 2005. The city tries actively to counter this trend with new urban building areas.