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How it all began ...
The history of Schwerin
In the beginning Schwerin was nothing but a massive Slavic fortress on an island in the lake Schweriner See. It had been built by Niklot - the last ruler of a tribe called the Obotrits, who were defeated by the Christians. When Henry the Lion, a Christian duke and conqueror of Schwerin, founded the town in 1160, it was nothing more than a small settlement on the castle square. Where today we see the “Alter Garten” Square in front of the Palace, Schwerin spread out and over the centuries became one of the most fought-about areas in the north. Several devastating fires in the 16th and 17th century destroyed what had grown over hundreds of years, the Thirty Years’ War left its marks of destruction, and the conflicts between feuding dukes and classes of society tore the population apart.
Despite all these difficulties one thing remained: Schwerin’s unique cultural and architectural treasures that have been collected and created by its rulers, aristocracy and clergy. They are the witnesses to history that were preserved until today and turned Schwerin into an important centre of culture. These buildings still tell us of the town’s history: the gothic brick cathedral, the half-timbered houses in the “Schelfstadt” district, the State Museum and of course the magic Palace on the former castle island. These days Schwerin still is a centre of power. The city has grown and developed: first from a ducal seat to a residency, and later, in 1990, to the capital of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Other decisive events in the history of Schwerin were: the foundation of an Academy of Dramatic Art in 1754 by Conrad Ekhof, the first Film Festival in 1991 (which now is one of the most popular film festivals in East Germany) and the annual Open Air Opera Festival, which rates among the top 3 opera festivals in Europe. Residents and visitors alike are inspired by what Schwerin has to offer.
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Chronology Schwerin
Germanic tribes leave the area; the Slavonic Obotrits settle there
1018
First mention of the Slavonic island fortress "Zuarin"
1160
Henry the Lion defeats the Obotrits (death of their sovereign Niklot). He founds the town of Schwerin and starts to develop and expand it (damming the Pfaffenteich lake); the bishop's residence moves from the Mecklenburg Castle to Schwerin
1167
Niklot’s son Pribislaw regains his father’s inheritance; Gunzelin von Hagen becomes count of Schwerin
1171
The first small Episcopal church is consecrated
1175-1249
Construction of the Roman brick cathedral (simultaneously to those in Ratzeburg and Lübeck)
1270-1416
Construction of the Gothic cathedral (the tower was added in 1889/93)
1351
First mention of the Town Hall
1358
The county and town of Schwerin fall to the ducal dynasty of Mecklenburg; Schwerin becomes seat of the dukes
around 1500
First mention of a stone castle and start of construction works to create the Schwerin Palace around 1600
from 1631
Erection of bastions between today's streets "Martinstraße" and "Schlossstraße"
1651
Reconstruction and regulation of the labyrinthine street network after a major fire
from 1705
Systematic expansion of the "Schelfe"-area towards the New Town (later incorporated by the town of Schwerin)
1753
Foundation of the first German Academy for Actors by Conrad Ekhof
1756
The ducal family relocates its residence to Ludwigslust (until 1837)
1764
Schwerin registers 3.288 inhabitants
1806
Occupation by Napoleon’s troops (until 1813)
1819
Schwerin accommodates 9.986 inhabitants
1832
Annexing of the New Town (“Schelfe”) into the Old Town of Schwerin
1835-1845
Reconstruction of the town hall and erection of representative buildings by G.A. Demmler
from 1840
Expansion of the town to the northwest (district "Paulsstadt")
1842
Completion of the dam "Paulsdamm" through the middle of lake "Schweriner See"
1845
Reconstruction of the Palace by G. A. Demmler, until 1857
1847
Connection to the national railway system
1871-1918
Economic prosperity; extensive construction works; expansion of the "Feldstadt" district
from 1908
Electric tramway system in use
02 May 1945
With the arrival of American troops in Schwerin, the Second World War ends for the city. Only hours earlier the teacher Marianne Grunthal had been executed by fascists outside the main railway station. The death march of 18.000 concentration camp prisoners ends in front of the town gates.
01 June 1945
English troops take over the occupation from the Americans
01 July 1945
Soviet troops take command
1946
The State of Mecklenburg is founded under the order of the SMAD; Wilhelm Höcker (SPD political party) becomes first prime minister
1952
After the division of the State into three constituencies, Schwerin is chosen as its capital
1955
Start of construction of the district "Weststadt"
1962
Start of construction of the district "Lankow"
1964
Opening of the café in the Schwerin Television Tower at 97,5 metres height (the tower is 138 metres high)
1971
Start of construction of the district "Großer Dreesch"
1972
Schwerin registers 100.000 inhabitants
23 October 1989
Mass demonstrations on the "Alter Garten" (old garden) square, 40.000 people
06 May 1990
The first free and democratic local elections of the GDR (German Democratic Republic) take place; Johannes Kwaschik is elected mayor of Schwerin
03 October 1992
On the 2nd anniversary of German Unification, Schwerin is chosen as venue for the national ceremonies of the Federal Republic of Germany
27 October 1992
Schwerin becomes State Capital of Mecklenburg - Vorpommern
April 1993
Discharge of CIS troops (Commonwealth of Independent States)
1995
During the 1.000th anniversary celebration of Mecklenburg, the Schwerin Lion-monument by Peter Lenk is unveiled on the market square. Henry the Lion, founder of Schwerin, had died 800 years earlier. A copy of the famous Brunswick Lion monument is placed at the northern side of the cathedral tower.
1996
First cathedral consecration 825 years ago; completion of the organ 125 years ago
1999
Schwerin is chosen as venue of the BUGA in 2009 (Bundesgartenschau - National Horticultural Exhibition) with the slogan "Seven gardens at the heart of it all", relating to Schwerin’s seven lakes
May 2000
Kick-off for the "BUGA 2009": The BUGA-agreements are signed and the first BUGA lime tree is planted
April 2003
For five months Schwerin is the "official external centre of the IGA 2003" (international horticultural show) and hosts different events on horticulture and landscape gardening
April to October 2009
The capital of Schwerin becomes capital of BUGA 2009