When Schwerin Cathedral was built, Gothic architecture was in vogue, but northern Germany did not have massive gray stones to quarry. Instead, the church was one of the first examples of the “Backsteingotik,” a Baltic tradition of building Gothic buildings from brick.
Understand the cathedral’s fame for its beauty. Its popularity as a pilgrimage site grew after the local count brought back a drop of Jesus’ blood from the Holy Land.
This religious structure has faithfully served the people of Schwerin for almost 900 years.
Walk to the cathedral from anywhere in the city, letting the steeple guide your way. As you approach, admire the craftsmanship of the brick before passing under the portal into the surprisingly airy whitewashed nave inside.
Follow turquoise and magenta stripes along the lines of the arches up to the peaked roof. Tour the collection of 15th-century religious art. Sit in elaborately carved pews while looking at the 14th-century frescoes in the Chapel of the Assumption. Inside the crypt see where the tombs of generations of Mecklenburg dukes rest.
Climb the 220 steps up to the tower, which at 385 feet (118 meters) is the tallest steeple in Mecklenburg. Take pictures of Schwerin Castle, which looks especially otherworldly from above on its remote island.
On Mondays, stay until mid afternoon, when the church plays its famous Ladegast organ, emitting sounds that fill the large space.
Schwerin Cathedral stands in the heart of Schwerin’s Old Town, a 10-minute walk from the central train station and an 8-minute walk from Schwerin Castle. You can drive from the train station in 5 minutes however, driving within much of the Old Town itself is not allowed. Parking is available in lots walking distance from the church.
The cathedral is open to visitors daily in the early afternoon. Public tours in German take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Entrance is free, but there is a small charge to light up the crypt and climb the tower.
