The Fürstenhof was the seat of the dukes of Mecklenburg. Its present form is composed of two wings standing at right angles to each other. The so-called "Old House" was built in 1512/13 and is based on late Gothic design principles. The "New House" was built between 1553 and 1555 in the style of the Italian Renaissance.
The Fürstenhof was the seat of the dukes of Mecklenburg. Its present form is composed of two wings standing almost at right angles to each other. The western wing, the so-called "Old House" was built in 1512/13, following the late Gothic design principles. The "New House" was built between 1553 and 1555 in the style of the Italian Renaissance. It is richly decorated with plastic limestone and terracotta ornaments. The three floors are separated by figural friezes. The portals of the gateway are also richly decorated. After Wismar was ceded to the Swedish crown in 1648, the highest Swedish court for the Swedish possessions in northern Germany, the so-called tribunal, was established in the Fürstenhof from 1653 to 1802. After extensive renovation work, the Fürstenhof is now the seat of the Wismar District Court.
