Schwerin (German pronunciation: [ʃveˈʁiːn]) is a city in northern Germany and the capital of the state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania). The population, as of end of 2007, was 95,855.
Schwerin is surrounded by many picturesque lakes. The largest of these lakes, the Schweriner See, has an area of 60 km². In the midst of the lakes there was an Obotrite settlement as early as in the 11th century. The area was called Zuarin, and th...
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Schwerin (German pronunciation: [ʃveˈʁiːn]) is a city in northern Germany and the capital of the state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania). The population, as of end of 2007, was 95,855.
Schwerin is surrounded by many picturesque lakes. The largest of these lakes, the Schweriner See, has an area of 60 km². In the midst of the lakes there was an Obotrite settlement as early as in 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 subsequently expanded into a powerful regional centre. A castle was built, and expanded upon over the centuries, on this site. It is supposedly haunted by the small, impious ghost, called Petermännchen.
In 1358, Schwerin became a part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg, making it the seat of the dukedom from then on. About 1500, the construction of the Schwerin castle began; it was here that the dukes resided. After the...
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