St. Catherine is one of the few Northern German monasteries, whose Gothic substance has almost survived in its entirety. It was built by the Dominicans in 1251 and used as orphanage and public school after the Reformation. Nowadays, it is home to the famous German Oceanographic Museum and the Museum of Cultural History, offering a comprehensive collection of artefacts of the region’s history and heritage.

First mentioned in 1265 the Holy Spirit Hospital cared for the elderly, the sick and needy persons, and is the oldest municipal hospital. The Town Hall’s impressive pillar-lined hallway is believed to been built along the lines of the Holy Spirit Church’s aisle. Today, there are numerous flats situated inside the building.

Follow the pedestrian precinct and you will find the smallest of our three churches. This pilgrim’s church, which had been substantially damaged in the course of the centuries, has been restored step by step since the 1990s. Church services have not been held for a long time. Instead St. Jacob’s, that has its origin in the 14^th century, has been hosting many art exhibitions and cultural events in the past.

Founded by the Franciscans in 1254 this monastery attracts its visitors with the monastery itself, a beautiful rose garden, the chapter hall, cross-shaped vaults and a baroque library. Furthermore, the monastery buildings house a much-used municipal archive, providing a broad collection of historical documents, records, books, old pictures and prints of the town.

Being the second largest Brick Gothic church in the Baltic Sea area and calling a 104 metres tall steeple its own, this basilica is visible for miles. If you are lucky and the weather is good, the 90 metres high lookout offers its visitors a great view over the city, the Isle of Ruegen and the Baltic Sea. Also, the Baroque organ - Friedrich Stellwagen’s last masterpiece - is definitely worth a look.

First mentioned in 1276, St. Nicholas located on the Old Market Square is Stralsund’s oldest parish church. Its distinctive double steeple and the direct situation next to the Town Hall make this church a unique landmark. The baroque altar, that was built according to Andreas Schlueter’s drafts, the astronomical clock and the famous pews of the Nowgorod seafarers are among the most significant fittings of this church.