Stralsund

Stralsund is a city in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is located on the Baltic coast, at the southern end of the Strelasund strait, opposite the island of Rügen. Along with the nearby town of Wismar, its historic centre has held UNESCO World Heritage status since 2002, recognized for its well-preserved Brick Gothic architecture and its role as a medieval Hanseatic trading hub.

Founded in the 13th century, Stralsund grew as a major port and commercial centre on the Baltic Sea. Its cityscape features characteristic brick Gothic buildings, including the St. Nikolai Church and the Town Hall, which dominate the Old Town and its harbor area. The town is known for its concentration of gabled merchant houses and narrow lanes that reflect its maritime mercantile heritage.

In the modern era, Stralsund developed further as a port and shipbuilding centre. After substantial war damage in World War II, restoration and preservation efforts helped maintain its historical character. In cultural terms, the city hosts the German Oceanographic Museum and the Ozeaneum, a public aquarium opened in the 2000s as part of the museum complex, which attract visitors interested in marine science and the Baltic Sea.

Stralsund is a regional transport hub with road and rail connections and a cross-strait link to the island of Rügen via the Rügen Bridge. The city has an urban population of around 60,000 residents and remains a popular destination for its maritime heritage, architectural ensemble, and proximity to the island of Rügen.