Seven clear lakes, green woods, and a magnificent castle create a landscape lie beautiful painting at Schwerin. State capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany. Schwerin is a jewel among cities, combining beautiful scenery with a rich cultural heritage. The lyrical landscape formed by the lakes that surround the whole city is enough to inspire a poem, and the eye is dazzled by the blue sky at sunset, the lush green willows, and the medieval castle reflected in the still lake water. Let’s visit Germany’s heaven of peace and tranquility, Schwerin.

Parks and Lakes

Dotted all over the city, parks and lakes are the things that define the city of Schwerin. The lush green trees of the parks and the calm clear waters of the lakes give the people of Schwerin a deep sense of peace. Living their daily lives with nature as their friend, Schwerin’s residents always wear an expression of peace and contentment. Even an outsider who comes far afar to visit this cozy city in northern Germany can derive comfort and peace from the faces of the local people.

Old and New

With time, all things slip into the past, and with time they are born anew. In Schwerin, the products of past and present are bound together by time in exquisite harmony. If the half-timbered buildings of the old city center preserve all their old-world charm, bright new buildings that have appeared since unification show a different image of schwerin today. Old and new come together in harmony here, endowing the city with a double charm.

Contrast between past and present

Schwerin is one of the most beautiful historic cities lying east of the River Elbe, the river which formally divided Germany into east and west. Its city center has a unique charm blending medieval and modern ingredients, and with its delightful harmony of quiet lakes and verdant woods, the face of the city is peace itself. It may not be a hustling and bustling tourist destination, but it is a great place to relax and enjoy life’s little pleasures. Boasting the most impressive castle in northern Germany, a grand old Gothic church, and beautiful half-timbered buildings, Schwerin is a city with an abundant cultural heritage.

A visit ti Schwerin begins a the plaza, Am Markt. Combining the antique charm of the Old City Hall with the fresh pastel tones of modern buildings, this is the most elegant and beautiful spot downtown. The faces of people chatting over a cup of tea in an outdoor café express the leisureliness of life. At one side of the square, a statue of a lion stands in a noble pose like the city’s guardian spirit, and behind the square stands one of the great architectural works that grace the city, the cathedral.

Begun in 1260, Schwerin Cathedral is a masterpiece of northern German architecture that has shared the whole history of the city. As a symbol of a faith that has stood unshaken for centuries, the cathedral watches silently over the city’s past and present. Its tower affords a dramatic view of the city 117m below. The encircling lakes that seem to connect with each other all around the city form a sight whose equal it would be hard to find anywhere in Germany.

A few minutes’ walk from Am Markt is Schelfstadt, where many beautiful half-timbered buildings survive from the 16th and 17th centuries. Gentle and restrained in style, these antique structures make a marked contrast with the modern shopping centers, cafes, and bars of the new city center.

A city that takes its time

Walk south from Am Markt for ten minutes, and you will see magnificent Schwerin Castle standing on an island in a lake. Schwerin’s greatest landmark, this monumental structure tells of Germany’s long architectural history, bearing silent witness to the centuries.

Around the circumference of the castle, fifteen imposing turrets tower over the surrounding area, and in the center, a golden roof makes a striking visual effect. When it catches the mid-day sun, the sight of the castle reflected in the lake is quite breathtaking.

Inside, the castle has a total of 80 rooms. The interior is decorated with luxurious furniture, murals, and marble, and in the Grand Duke’s throne room, beautiful frescoes and portraits of the castle’s former owners give a feeling for the glories of the past. Behind the castle is a lovely garden reaching to the lake. Adorned with colorful flowers, the garden also contains a golden statue of Hercules pitting his strength against a bull, and a statue of the goddess Nike. The garden gives a vivid view of the broad lake and the Thickly wooded island.

Also behind Schwerin Castle is the Baroque Castle Garden. With beautiful sculptures set off by little canals, this park provides an excellent place for recreation for the city’s residents. On sunny days, everyone seems to gather here to sunbathe, read, and generally enjoy the pleasures of life. In front of the Baroque Castle Garden, the broad Schwerin Lake stretches out into the distance, its surface dotted with yachts and its ripples sparkling in the sunlight as ducks and swans float leisurely along. Willows gently rustled by the wind are reflected in the water just like in a fine landscape painting. On the grassy banks around the lake are beautiful parks and footpaths, and the local people like to begin or end their day with a walk alongside the lake, where they are welcomed by the fresh breeze and floral scents.

In Schwerin, where nature and humanity live as one, everything happens slowly. As if assured of eternity, the people move at a slow and leisurely pace. While many people today – particularly those living busy lives in big cities – may think of slowness as a sin, the people of Schwerin do not consider speed a virtue. To live slowly and enjoy the comforts of life is the Schwerin people’s way of living. To see them living in quiet enjoyment of nature makes one reflect on the tempo of one’s own life.