Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Written on March 6, 2010
This paper contains information about the German State of Mecklenburf-Vorpommern. It goes over the basic history, economy, four major cities, two famous people from the state, and basic cuisine.
Mecklenburg, an area in northeast Germany, in was first settled by Germanic tribes in 500 A.D. One hundred years later, the Slavs moved into the region and eventually built a castle named Mechelenburg. This castle is where Mecklenburg derived its name. Much like Mecklenburg, the Slavs settled Pomerania in 600A.D. After hundreds of years under the rule of the Danish, Swedish, and Prussia, they were officially combined to make Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in 1945.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has a basic economy of shipbuilding, fishing, and forestry. This is due to its position in Germany. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is located in the northeast of Germany on the Baltic Sea, so shipbuilding and fishing comes easily to the state. Also, with much of its land covered by forests, so forestry is another easy job for the people of the state.
The capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is Schwerin, known as the city of the seven lakes and forests. The Schwerin Chateau, located on an island in Lake Schwerin, is one of the best examples of historic Germany. It displays a beautiful historic art gallery that attracts many tourists. Also, the Schwerin Cathedral, another irresistible tourist feature, is a perfect example of gothic architecture in Germany. In addition, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has classical architecture such as the Regional Museum and, most notably, the State Theatre. Finally, for the more modern day tourists, Schwerin has a casino.
The Hanseatic City of Griefswald has architecture from the Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance eras. This city was one of the founder cities for the Hanseatic League. Griefswald is well know for The Saint Nickolai Cathedral, Saint Marien Church, and the Eldena Cistercian Monastery. These three buildings represent the Gothic architecture from the city. The painter, Caspar David Friedrich, became well known with his painting of the ruins of the Eldena Cistercian Monastery.
Rostock, the largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, possesses the largest port facility in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Trading thrives in this city. Again, the Gothic architecture is apparent due to the Marien Church and the Petri Church. Also, the city’s lighthouse and large hotels like the Marine Promenade. Rostock also features a casino for those interested in gambling.
Stralsund is another famous city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern because it’s the pathway to the Isle of Rügen. Stralsund also possesses a lot of Gothic architecture notable in its buildings and churches. Historically, Stralsund entered the Hanseatic League in 1293. The Isle of Rügen has some wonderful resorts which attract tourists to its sandy beaches and white chalk cliffs.
Caspar David Friedrich was one of the best romantic landscape artists. He was born in Griefswald in 1774 and lived until 1840. Some of his paintings are Die Wissower Klinken, painted in 1851, and Kreidefelsen auf Rügen, painted in 1818. Kreidefelsen auf Rügen made the Isle of Rügen famous.
Ernst Barlach lived from 1878 to 1938. He spent many years in Güstrow where he carved wooden figures. There is now a monument in honor of him where he used to live and work.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has three main dishes. The first is the Mecklenburg plum roast with red cabbage and salted potatoes. It consists of pork, apples, plums, parsley, potatoes, and red cabbage. The second is stuffed breast of fowl with red cabbage and potato dumplings. Its ingredients are breast of fowl, apple mousse, plum mousse, herbs, potato dumplings, and red cabbage. Finally, there’s Schweriner Grützwurst with sauerkraut and fried potatoes. This dish is fried Schweriner Grützwurst along ham, sauerkraut, and fried potatoes.
