The city of Rostock, Germany, joined the Hanseatic League in 1251. In the 14th century it was a powerful seaport town with 12,000 inhabitants and the biggest city of Mecklenburg.
As I mentioned in a previous comment, I didn’t realize Rostock was in former East Germany (GDR or DDR) until a few days later. I’m kind of glad I didn’t know, because it exceeded my expectations. Living in West Germany years ago, I noticed that the DDR was not looked upon very kindly.
I was amazed that some parts of the medieval city wall had survived:
The city was bombed heavily during World War II, so it’s even more surprising that the wall still stands.
Kröpeliner Tor, one of the surviving medieval city gates.
The gate is 180 feet (55m) high.
A tiny glimpse of the city. I couldn’t wait to photograph those pastel buildings.
But first, a brief stop at the University of Rostock.
The institution was founded in 1419, making it one of the earliest universities in Europe.
It was the fifth university established in the Holy Roman Empire.
According to Wiki, Albert Einstein and Max Planck received honorary doctorates on November 12, 1919. This made the University of Rostock the world’s first institute of higher learning to award this honor to Einstein.
Beautiful details throughout.
This is the beginning of Kröpeliner Strasse, a shop-filled, cobblestone pedestrian street with the lovely pastel buildings.
Love the architecture they chose to rebuild with. Dutch Renaissance?
Some roses along the way.
We were able to duck into a bäckerei/cafe for just a few minutes so I could take these shots:
I took the bicycle photo next to this cafe.
More on Tuesday. 🙂
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
I like photos and story, it is really a very interesting city, thank you for sharing. You gave us a wonderful opportunity to see another world!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad I got to see the area.
Lovely and vibrant. Hard to picture what it was like before the wall fell. But I’ve noticed I prefer the eastern parts of Berlin when I visit. I wonder why.
I’ll be posting a photo of a painting showing the rubble, TBM, in the next part.
I feel the same way about West Berlin. So much modern architecture which I don’t like. Going to East Berlin was like going back in time for me.
Wow! This is spectacular. I love the wall–what a testimony to strength. And the architecture and even the food. I want to be there right now.
Thank you! It was a lovely surprise.
that is some cool buildings and yummy things 😉
Yes. 🙂
Love the pastel buildings – what a lovely city !
It really is. I’m a huge fan of stuff like that, as you can probably tell. 🙂
I doubt I will ever make it to Rostock so am doubly appreciative of your beautiful photos, Carole. You show so well the lush, rich and diverse architecture formed and reformed by history.
Thanks, Cheryl. I doubt I would have gone if it hadn’t been a stop on the cruise.
Beautiful photos, Carole. I’m so glad you took these because it’s good to have your prejudices thrown overboard.
Rostock is in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern which is the epitome of “Ossie” Germany for many. The region is very problematic politically but it doesn’t look stuffy. It looks gorgeous. They renovated it, obviously. Is it really the original wall? It’s possible, of course. When I was in Nuremberg I could hardly believe everything was rebuilt.
I’m glad too, Caroline, because I was pretty biased. The movies I’ve seen about East Germany are pretty chilling.
I believe most of the town was rebuilt after the Allied bombing. They did such a wonderful job.
The wall is standing in only a few places.
I’d like to see Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, two of the cities in W. Germany that I missed.
This blog entry alone is quite a portfolio, or at least a mini-portfolio. Thanks for bringing it to all of us. I especially like the street scene you describe as “the beginning of Kröpeliner Strasse”. The numerous spires (are that what they might be called?) all pointing up at the sky comprise something of a punctuation of the building-sky border. Great work here!
You are too kind!