Sankt Marien Kirche (Saint Mary's Church), Rostock (must see)

Saint Mary's Church is not only the largest church in Rostock but also one of the most significant brickstone Gothic buildings in the entire Baltic region. For over 770 years, it has served as a sacred space for prayer, worship, civic and academic gatherings, and a hub for artistic expression.

The mighty presence of Saint Mary's Church has graced Rostock's market square and defined the city's silhouette for centuries. The church's historical roots date back to 1232, with the current building believed to be the successor to the original structure. The church's current structure is the result of several construction phases.

Saint Mary's is a triple-nave cross-shaped basilica, exemplifying the Brick Gothic architectural style typical of Hanseatic port cities in northern Germany. Its grand tower, crowned with a baroque lantern, was not completed until the late 18th century.

One of the most remarkable features of Saint Mary's Church is its astronomical clock, crafted in 1472 by Hans Düringer, a skilled clockmaker from Nuremberg. This intricate timepiece still functions with its original clockwork. The clock's late Gothic elements include a lower ring adorned with zodiac signs, reliefs depicting four wise men from antiquity, and an upper clock face displaying moon phases and symbols of the evangelists.

Another awe-inspiring facet of the church is its monumental south portal window located in the transept, towering at a height of 26 meters. This magnificent stained glass window depicts "The Day of Judgment" and ranks among the largest single stained glass windows in all of Europe. Saint Mary's Church not only serves as a place of worship but also as a living museum of history and art, inviting visitors to marvel at its architectural splendor and rich heritage.