Our first port of call on the Baltic Cruise was Warnemünde on the northern coast of Germany. We didn't know what to expect from Warnemünde, but we had read about Rostock, a short train or boat ride away, so we decided to start with Rostock. We took the Blaue Flotte (Blue Fleet) boat which took us very close to the old town that we wanted to visit. There was a self-guided walking tour, so the group of us all headed off to see what the old town of Rostock had to offer. There were a few churches (there are always churches), a nice plaza where we took a break for something to eat, and a shopping street. The day had started sunny and warm, but soon heated up to an unexpected 35º (or so said the thermometer in the town square)! Much warmer than anticipated. We took the boat back again to Warnemünde, and then did their little walking tour. Turns out Warnemünde is a very lovely town, and a popular beach-side resort for Germans. There was a long, wide beach and here with the ocean breezes, the temperature was perfect. Altogether the weather was much warmer and sunnier that we expected, or even hoped for, so quite happy with our day in Germany.
St. Peter's Church dates back to the middle of the 14th century, but the polygonal spire was built in late 1500's. It is the oldest of three town churches found in Rostock. At 380 feet the tower served as a familiar landmark in the local area and provides great views of the town.
The inside of the church is now split into 2 sides. The left is a sparse hall, while the right side is more ornate, featuring towering, modern stained glass windows designed in the early 1960's. The original baroque interior was heavily damaged during WWII, so now the renovated interior is less ornate.
Great views from the tower, with the river that we had travelled on in our boat ride into town on the right, and St. Mary's church on the left.
A nice modern touch on this old building across the street from St. Nicolas' Church (our second church of the day).
Outside St. Nicolas' Church. All I've been able to find about it is that it is the oldest of the remaining hall churches in the Baltic region.
Inside St. Nicolas' Church, mostly used now as an event or concert space more so than a church.
Up on the second level choir section, there was part of a wall that featured a large fresco painting. It seems that it was original, and was partially painted over. There was a time when beautifully painted churches were white-washed over.
Along our walk to the town square.
The town square, with some market stalls set up, gave us the chance to buy a hat to protect against the sun. The last of the 3 churches, St. Mary's Church, the biggest of the 3 churches is in the background.
Two unique features of St. Mary's Church are (on the left) an astronomical clock built in 1472. It is the only medieval clock of its kind still in working condition with its original clockworks. The clock showed the day's date, and is accurate until 2150! On the right is the huge baroque facade of the "Marienorgel" (Marie Organ), designed and built in 1770, featuring 5.700 pipes.
Another unique feature of this church was this carving over the entrance to a crypt. Seems that maybe the afterlife is kinda boring, with both the skeleton and the figure on the right resting their heads in their hands. Even the soldier on the left is leaning against the coffin.
The main pedestrian shopping street in Rostock.
Back in Warnemünde, across the inlet with some strings of "love locks" and our ship in the background. And behind the ship...is smoke from what looked to be a major fire across the river.
Above the "love locks" was this sign pointing to "Rostock town".
The beautiful beach of Warnemünde, with the green and red lighthouses bracketing the channel into the inlet.
The old lighthouse (right) and the Teepott (Teapot in German) with its hyperbolic paraboloid (curved) roof.
We walked out to the green lighthouse, the most northern point in Warnemünde, looking out to the Baltic Sea.
Looking back toward town from the lighthouse, with our cruise ship on the right, and the smoke from the fire in the distance.
Walking along the channel in Warnemünde as we made our way back to the ship. This section of the canal is lined with restaurants featuring fresh seafood.
NEXT: (Day 7) Tallinn, Estonia
PREV: (Day 4) Copenhagen - Embarkation
Baltic Cruise - May-June 2018