Hanseatic City of Greifswald

Motif and Inspiration for Caspar David Friedrich

Inspired by the beauty of the city's silhouette, the romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, the most famous son of the university and Hanseatic city, often chose the brick buildings as motifs for his paintings.

The silhouette of Greifswald from the air and view of the church towers.

Salty Breeze Paired with University Air

The university and Hanseatic city of Greifswald is always worth a visit. When strolling through the historic old town, the brick town houses, the oxblood-red town hall, parts of the medieval defense system and the brick churches are particularly striking. It is easy to see why the towers of the three distinctive churches are called Long Nicholas, Fat Marie and Little Jacob by the locals.

The cityscape is particularly characterized by the buildings of the University of Greifswald. One of the most magnificent and powerful buildings is the baroque main building of the university, which was built in 1750 by the Swedes who ruled here for almost 200 years. Founded as early as 1456 and thus the second oldest high teaching institution in northern Europe, it continues to provide a young, open intellectual climate in the city today.

Picturesque Greifswald

Maritime flair is spread by the many ships on display in Germany's largest museum harbor. Let yourself be inspired by more than 50 ships with detailed descriptions. A worthwhile museum for art lovers is the Pommersche Landesmuseum Greifswald. Here you will find, among other things, original works by the Greifswald-born artist Caspar David Friedrichs. In his honor, there are also exhibitions in his residence, today's Caspar David Friedrich Center. One of his popular Greifswald motifs is the romantic ruins of Eldena Monastery, which still magically attracts many people today.

A City with Sound

Greifswald offers a wide variety of musical events - whether young and dynamic or classical and elegant. Music festivals, such as the Eldena Jazz Evenings, Greifswalder Bachwoche, the fishing festival Gaffelrigg or the Nordic Sound already have a long tradition.

The Vacation Experts for the Hanseatic City of Greifswald

Hanseatic City of Greifswald in Moving Pictures

Impressions from Greifswald

Excursion Destinations

Sights and Leisure Tips

  1. © Gudrun Koch

    Eldena monastery ruins

    Read more: "Eldena monastery ruins"
  2. © Caspar-David-Friedrich-Gesellschaft e. V., ©2021 Gudrun Koch

    Caspar David Friedrich Center

    Read more: "Caspar David Friedrich Center"
  3. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald museum shipyard

    Read more: "Greifswald museum shipyard"
  4. © Gudrun Koch

    Wiecker wooden bascule bridge

    Read more: "Wiecker wooden bascule bridge"
  5. The Rubenow Monument is located on Rubenowplatz in front of the main building of the University of Greifswald., © Gudrun Koch

    Rubenow Monument

    Read more: "Rubenow Monument"
  6. Park bridge autumn, © Barockschloß zu Griebenow e.V.

    Baroque castle Griebenow

    Read more: "Baroque castle Griebenow"
  7. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-View

    Read more: "Caspar-David-Friedrich-View"
  8. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Observatory

    Read more: "Greifswald Observatory"
  9. © Gudrun Koch

    University of Greifswald

    Read more: "University of Greifswald"
  10. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

    Read more: "Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg"
  11. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald

    Read more: "St. Nikolai Cathedral Greifswald"
  12. © TMV/Tiemann

    Ludwigsburg Palace

    Read more: "Ludwigsburg Palace"
  13. © Gudrun Koch

    St. Mary's Church Greifswald

    Read more: "St. Mary's Church Greifswald"
  14. © Gudrun Koch

    Catch tower Greifswald

    Read more: "Catch tower Greifswald"
  15. © Birgit Schulz

    Greifswald Zoo

    Read more: "Greifswald Zoo"
  16. © Gudrun Koch

    Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald

    Read more: "Marketplace of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald"
  17. © Pommersches Landesmuseum / André Gschweng

    Pomeranian State Museum

    Read more: "Pomeranian State Museum"
  18. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald barrage

    Read more: "Greifswald barrage"
  19. © Peter van Heesen

    Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald

    Read more: "Theater and Stadthalle Greifswald"
  20. Forestry office building in Greifswald-Eldena, © Sabrina Wittkopf-Schade

    Forestry office Jägerhof

    Read more: "Forestry office Jägerhof"
  21. © Gudrun Koch

    Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg

    Read more: "Caspar-David-Friedrich-Bildweg"
  22. © TMV/Gohlke

    Village Church Groß Kiesow

    Read more: "Village Church Groß Kiesow"
  23. © Gudrun Koch

    Greifswald Town Hall

    Read more: "Greifswald Town Hall"
  24. © Wally Pruss

    Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus

    Read more: "Socio-cultural center St. Spiritus"
  25. © Gudrun Koch

    Arboretum of the University of Greifswald

    Read more: "Arboretum of the University of Greifswald"
1- 0 from 0

Tour Tips for Exploring

On foot or by bike

  • © TMV/Tiemann

    Eastern Brick Circuit

    • Length: 305 km
    • Etappen: 5

    The brick churches in Rostock, Stralsund and Greifswald are considered the crowning glory of medieval architecture. In smaller harbor towns and in the hinterland, too, the red stones pile up to form imposing contemporary witnesses. In addition to a lot of history, cyclists enjoy unspoiled nature and swimming fun.

    Read more: "Eastern Brick Circuit"
  • © TMV/Gänsicke

    Baltic Sea Cycle Route

    • Length: 690 km
    • Etappen: 15

    The part of the Baltic Sea Cycle Route which leads through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a beautiful trail in Northern Germany, which winds through idyllic scenery, Hanseatic towns, three islands and classic villages.

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Cycle Route"
  • © TMV/Foto@Andreas-Duerst.de

    Via Baltica

    • Length: 360 km
    • Etappen: 16

    In our hectic times, more and more people are looking for heavenly peace and divine inspiration. They find it in the liberating expanse of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Via Baltica"
  • © TMV/Petermann

    Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9

    • Length: 400 km
    • Etappen: 14

    Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic Sea – the Hiking Trail E9 connects the coasts of Europe. On the stretch between Travemünde and Ahlbeck, hikers can enjoy the diversity of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's coastal landscape.

    Read more: "Baltic Sea Coast Hiking Trail E9"
  • Content is loaded

    Greifswald Hotels

    4 Ergebnisse
    • © Jack & Richie‘s

      Jack & Richie's

      • An der Mühle, 17493 Greifswald

      Welcome to Greifswald's Jack & Richie's, located directly at the listed Wiecker wooden bascule bridge and the nearby marina.

      Read more: "Jack & Richie's"
    • © Mercure Hotel

      Mercure Hotel Greifswald

      • Am Gorzberg, 17489 Greifswald

      Look forward to relaxing days at the beautiful Baltic Sea!

      Read more: "Mercure Hotel Greifswald"
    • © Hotel Ostseeländer

      Hotel Ostseeländer

      • Gustav-Jahn-Str. 6, 17495 Züssow

      Hotel Ostseeländer is located in a beautiful park and has individually furnished rooms. Despite its quiet location, the ideal starting point for (almost) all activities. The cuisine is characterized by regionality and products from our own organic cultivation.

      Read more: "Hotel Ostseeländer"
    • © slube

      slube at the marina Greifswald

      • Salinenstraße, 17489 Greifswald

      Coastal feeling meets cool student city: With slubes you stay right in the heart of Greifswald at the marina overlooking the Ryck River. Directly between Rügen and Usedom, it is not far to the Baltic Sea beach and great windsurfing and sailing locations.

      Read more: "slube at the marina Greifswald"

    Content is loaded

    Content is loaded