The city of the seven lakes: Schwerin

Schwerin has just short of 100,000 residents, making it Germany's smallest state capital. It is idyllically located among picture-perfect lakes that reflect the scudding clouds of the northern skies. The city's main landmark, Schwerin Castle , is bright and breezy, a breath of fresh air – just like Schwerin itself.

A diverse city of many names

Drawings dating from 965 depict a castle on a freshwater lake that historians think is in Schwerin. The Slavic Prince Niklot, who was lord of the castle, had this castle burned down in 1160 when faced with the superior strength of Henry the Lion's forces. It was not until after this time that the town was actually established and the castle rebuilt. The first cathedral was endowed just a few years later. Today, Schwerin is known by many names: city of the seven lakes, Florence of the North, cathedral city and royal seat. All are apt because Schwerin successfully combines nature and architecture, artworks great and small, plus reminders of its 850-year history. Visitors who stroll across the cobbled market square, explore the narrow lanes and admire the views of the castle will soon realise that there is plenty to see and do in Schwerin. Culture aficionados will enjoy the city's theatre and variety performances, museums and the magnificent castle theatre festival in the Old Gardens.

Buildings to cater to growing requirements

Schwerin's mighty cathedral is the only medieval building in the city to have survived the centuries. The first cathedral had to be torn down in its entirety, except for the tower, due to lack of space. The Romanesque episcopal church consecrated in 1248 also soon proved inadequate: Count Henry of Schwerin returned from the Crusades with a drop of Jesus Christ's blood encased in jasper, and this required an appropriate repository. The castle is the city's most famous landmark and perches on an island between Lake Schwerin and Lake Burgsee. In and around the castle, the top places to visit are the castle gardens, State Museum, Mecklenburg State Theatre, Victory Column, Old Palace, the royal stables and the neo-classical State Chancellery.

Theatre, museums, festivals: a year-round venue

Mecklenburg State Theatre in Schwerin stages plays and performances in the Low German dialect, puppet shows, music theatre, ballet and concerts. The annual castle theatre festival is, of course, a highlight.

Schwerin's museums, not least the State Museum, are worthy of a capital city. The main building houses a number of collections, including Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries, medieval works and contemporary art. Jahrhunderts, aber auch Mittelalterliches und Zeitgenössisches. Other museums include the State Museum of Technology in the former royal stables and the State Museum of Archaeology.

Schwerin hosts a variety of distinguished festivals. It is the venue for the Mecklenburg-Western PomeraniaFestival; the Film & Arts Festival and the Parade of the 'Weisse Flotte' boats take place in May, the pottery market, Five Lakes Run, Christopher Street Day and dragon boat festival in June and July, followed by the Old Town festival and wine festival. October is time for Intercultural Weeks and November's traditional Martensmarkt welcomes guests from nearby Lübeck. The year ends on a high note with the Mäkelborg Christmas market. Schwerin packs a lot in for such a small city, and everyone looks forward to the start of the next season – and to the numerous visitors who come back year after year.