Wismar city walls

The Wismar city wall - a protective wall with history

As early as the 12th century, the inhabitants of Wismar recognized the need for a secure dwelling. Around 1161 they erected the first earth walls to protect the young settlement. These were repeatedly reinforced and extended over the following decades.

With the official founding of the town in 1226 The construction of a massive stone wall began. It enclosed the entire city and was equipped with towers, gates and drawbridges. The wall was not only used for defense, but also to control the movement of goods. In the centuries that followed, it was repeatedly extended and reinforced.

Special features of the Wismar city wall were:

• Wiekhäuser: These tower-like buildings, integrated directly into the wall, provided additional protection and often served as living quarters.
• Landwehr: Another fortification, the so-called Landwehr, was built outside the city wall to secure the surrounding countryside.
• Gates and towers: Numerous gates and towers provided access to the city and offered additional protection from attackers.

The city wall was not only a military installation, but also an important part of urban life. It marked the border between the safe city and the surrounding countryside. Numerous buildings, such as warehouses and workshops, were built along the wall.

The significance of the city wall changed over the centuries. It lost its military significance with the advent of new warfare techniques. In the 19th century, it was finally seen as an obstacle to urban development and was therefore largely demolished.

Today, only a few remnants of the once mighty city wall remain. Nevertheless, it reminds us of Wismar's eventful history and the importance of protection and security for our ancestors.

The following city gates existed:

-The simple water gate
-The Gothic Poel Gate
-The Old Wismar Gate
-The Mecklenburg Gate
-The Lübeck Gate

At the Old Harbour and at various other places in Wismar, you can still find remains of the old town wall and some cannons that were used for defense.

You can reach the old harbor in approx. 5 - 10 minutes on foot from Hotel Das Kittchen.