In the heart of Old Town, the Stralsund Rathaus (Town Hall) is one of the city’s most beautiful offerings. Stop here to view the grand façade, the beautiful Baroque gallery and the large hall that has served the town for centuries.
The Rathaus is considered by some to be one of the most important secular buildings in the Baltic Sea region, for good reason. Wander throughout the building to see the rooms that would have once been occupied by the town councilmen and judges, as well as the lower rooms used by merchants to showcase their goods. The cellar was designated for storing wine, sugar and spices.
Take a moment to appreciate the large windows that let light stream in. Around the windows, you’ll find the official coats of arms for Hanseatic cities including Hamburg, Stralsund and Greifswald. The glass on the windows is beautifully detailed.
While the first written mentions of the building date back to around 1271, it has undergone various changes over the years. Walk up the Renaissance staircase that was added in 1579. Explore the gallery in the courtyard, which has been renovated as recently as 1980. A fire destroyed the original copper roof in 1680 and was replaced with tiles.
From the outside, look up to see the classic seven pillars that dominate the upper half of the building. Be sure to view the town hall in the evening the beauty of the lights against the night sky is stunning.
Look for the bust of King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden inside. This marks his stay in the town in 1630. The original is located in Stockholm, but this casting of the statue stays in Stralsund.
Add a visit to the Rathaus into your itinerary for a day in Old Town, as it is located right in the heart of this historic area. Parking is available nearby for a fee, but the easiest way to arrive is on foot after taking a city bus or train to Stralsund’s main station.
