Europe, 24 May 2012 - Warnemunde & Rostock

We chose not to spend the time and money to go in to Berlin from the port stop of Warnemunde. We had been there two years ago, and the trip spent more time on the train than in Berlin. So we explored Warnemunde and the neighboring  town of Rostock.

Windmill in Warnemunde

It was a short walk from the ship in to Warnemunde, a German resort town on the Baltic Sea. It's a pretty well preserved medieval town. So we mostly just wandered around. Our first stop was at the Evangelical Church of Warnemunde. Since one of our goals for the day was to replenish our supply of Euros, we found a DeutchesBank with a cash machine.

On the Beach in Warnemunde

That accomplished, we headed for the beach. As other beaches we had seen in Europe, it had many cabañas owned by hotels and resorts, and signs noting their private nature. But we had a very nice walk on the shore near the small surf. Not many waves to dodge on an inland sea. The end of the beach, our goal, is at the channel into the harbor area, and a large freighter sailed in while we were out there.

At the end of the beach, is a lighthouse and "The Tea Pot," a building housing restaurants and a sea voyage exhibit. One can guess its shape. From the beach we walked up the Alte Strom, a street along the small boat harbor with many shops and restaurants.

City Wall Tower Gate

Except for sea days, today was the only lunch on the ship since it was very close.

After lunch we bought return tickets to Rostock, a neighboring town about 20 minutes away by train. We were not sure which was the main Rostock station, but fortunately we guessed right and were able to easily walk into the center of town from what was a fairly large train station.

Vegetable Stand with Spargel

When we reached the edge of the medieval city which still has remnants of its old wall, the first thing we came to was the Stone Gate, a large stone tower with a street through it. Shortly after inside the old city we came to the Rathaus with its usual market square. One of the things we noticed for sale at vegetable stands was spargel, a German spring delicacy of white asparagus. It is grown with sand or dirt piled up around it to shield it from the sunlight, and therefore keep it white rather than turning green. Since we had no way to keep or cook it, we did not buy any.

The first church we came to, St Marien, had many of the usual elements of a medieval church. The altar piece was very beautiful. It had a painting of Luther, being a Protestant (Lutheran) church. The pulpit dated from 1574, just after the Reformation when preaching became prominent. The organ was built in 1770, but we did not hear it.

The most unusual feature of the church is its Astronomical Clock, originally installed in 1492, and the last original astronomical clock remaining in Germany. It is both an amazing piece of machinery, and quite beautiful. I asked about Leap Year and was told they turn the clock off for 24  hours on February 29. It does have to be wound every day.

Astronomical Clock

Rostock shopping street

From there we walked the main shopping street which every medieval city seems to have. At one end was a fountain, which was a great play place for kids. That end of the market street is known as University Square.

Kids Playing the Fountain

Near there is Zum Heiligen Kreuz Convent, dating from the 13th century. The church was being set up for a function of the University.

There were originally 22 gates in the city wall. Kröpe Gate was (is) the strongest. It is pretty massive. From there we headed back through the city. On the way we stopped for chocolate and pastries, two things the town is well known for.

From St Peter's Tower

Continuing our walking tour we came to two more medieval churches, St Nikolai and St Peter. St Nikolai is now a concert hall with several apartments built into the roof area. It was not open. St Peter was open, is still a church, and has a tower that Dick could climb. Again this provided great views of the city.

A Rostocker

Continuing our return, we walked along the city wall, and then caught a tram back to the train station. It was a good train ride back to Warnemunde, where we stopped in a bar for a local beer. Well, sort of local; it was a Rostocker, from the town we had just visited.

Back on the ship we had a relaxing evening awaiting the late sailing to accommodate those returning from Berlin. It was a great day in a couple of interesting German medieval towns.