Markt

The Markt is a rectangular plaza in the heart of Schwerin's old town, lined with historic buildings from different periods and styles. The space measures roughly 60 by 50 meters and features cobblestone streets, shops, cafes, and restored half-timbered buildings around its edges.

The market square originated when Schwerin was founded in 1160 and served as a trading center for centuries. A major fire in 1651 destroyed numerous buildings, prompting the city to rebuild and expand the plaza into two distinct sections.

The market square serves as the social heart where locals and visitors gather to experience daily life in the city. People sit in cafes, walk through shops, and gather here for seasonal celebrations that connect the community together.

The plaza is easily accessible on foot and is primarily a pedestrian zone where visitors can walk freely without vehicle traffic. Around the square you will find cafes with outdoor seating, shops, and benches where you can sit and observe the bustle of the plaza.

The square once housed the Kychenthal department store, owned by a Jewish family and destroyed during the 1930s and 1940s. Memorial stones today mark the site and remember the family's fate during this dark period of history.