Schwerin Martensmarkt

Schedule

Friday - 5 pm

Opening of the medieval market and Lanterns Parade.  Artistic and music performances in medieval style.

Saturday - 11 am to 10 pm

Medieval market, arts and crafts, plays, performances, folk and rock music in medieval style

Sunday -

10 am Medieval market
2 pm music parade starting at the castle gate celebrating the arrival of the the Lubeck Merchant (Martensmann) with the tun of wine and candy for the children at the market place

Tradition

The festivals historical background dates back to the middle ages. More than 700 years ago a merchant of Lubeck was sent to Schwerin to bring a tun of wine as a gift to the duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for the first time. The wine was meant as a proof of friendship between Schwerin and Lubeck. The merchant also brought candy with him to give to the local kids. In 1817 the tradition ended for reasons unknown. After the reunification the tradition was revived again in 1991 on the initiative of Björn Engholm - prime minister of the german state of Schleswig-Holstein. Since then Schwerin celebrates the arrival of the Lubeck envoy with a three day medieval fair.