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Schwedenfest i Wismar

20 August 2017 / 39 Comments

Schwedenfest in Wismar, Germany

Every year on the penultimate weekend of August, the town of Wismar celebrates, with much fanfare, that it was once part of Sweden. We're here in 2018, 16-19 August, along with ten other motorhomes to take part in the festivities.

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Last Saturday it was time for the whole gang at the campsite (we were 22 people!) to take us to Schwedenfest in Wismar by bus. It was a day in charming Wismar, with carolines, horses, "shots" from muskets, hanging out on outdoor terraces, a lot of rain ... and nice socialising!

From the campsite to Wismar

We are 11 Swedish motorhomes at Ostsee camping travelling together, with a total of 22 happy motorhomers. Saturday morning started with some unstable weather and small rain showers, but that didn't dampen our spirits. At 13:30 we took the bus from the campsite into town.

The bus leaves right at the entrance and only takes 20 minutes, but it should be said that there are very few bus times per day to choose from ... Alternatives include hiring a bike (about a mile to cycle) or taking a taxi, which is barely more expensive than a bus if four people share. Some of the participants are stuck in the pictures below.

Stig och Else-Britt
Stig (in his nice hat) and Else-Britt a moment before departure.
Wismar camping
Some of the gang are ready for the bus journey to Schwedenfest in Wismar.
Cykel Wismar
Ann-Sofie and Åke chose to rent a bike and cycle into town.

Schwedenfest in Wismar

At three o'clock it was time for a historical spectacle in front of the town hall on the Marktplatz in the centre of town. Although it was a bit difficult to follow in German, we understood that some important historical events were being played out. Swedish soldiers dressed in beautiful uniforms from the time Wismar belonged to Sweden. Many actors participate during the days to show what it was like during the Swedish era.

Wismar fest

Swedish flags fly around the city, people dress up like in the past, cannons and muskets are fired. All the beautiful buildings built by the Swedes around the town are an attraction, beer, sausages and crayfish discs all at the same time. Live bands and fireworks, yes a real Schwedenfest in Wismar with lots of joy. This is the biggest Swedish party outside Sweden's borders.

Wismar rådhuset
In front of the town hall in Wismar ...

Then it was time for the infantry and cavalry! Now things got a little more lively, and instead of chatter the square began to resound with galloping horse hooves and rifle shots, while the area was ringed in smoke.The Carolinians came from the Swedish association Bohus Elfsborgs Caroliner in Gothenburg. From time to time you could hear orders in Swedish such as "Hatt av" and "Hatt på" ...

Wismar hästar
Horses patrol the streets of Wismar ...

Swedes and Wismar

Wismar is a harbour town and the capital of the Baltic Sea, which the Swedes found ideal for trade many centuries ago. The town became Swedish in 1648 and remained so until 1903. King Gustaf IV Adolf of Sweden needed money and in 1803 he pledged Wismar to Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

It was a bit of a crisis because Gustaf IV Adolf was engaged to the Grand Duke's daughter Luise Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin but did not want to marry her. Friedrich Franz I got a bit angry and agreed to a loan of 1.25 million riksdalar to get rid of the rude king. The loan was to be repaid after a hundred years, but it was never repaid and Wismar became German again on 20 June 1903.

Karoliner Wismar
Carolinians with the flag flying at Schwedenfest in Wismar
Schweden fest
Carolinas on the march

UNESCO World Heritage List

Since 27 June 2002, the old town of Wismar and Stralsund has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and we Swedes should be happy about this because it is part of our history. Wismar was founded in 1229 and in 1280 during the Middle Ages it became a Hanseatic city with Wismar, Lubeck, Hamburg and Rostock. For a short time during the Scanian War, Wismar was ruled by the Danes but they were beaten by the Swedes.

Schweden fest Tyskland
Attack!!! Sooo cool done at Schwedenfest in Wismar

Attractions in Wismar

Of course, there are sights in Wismar to check out. The Market Square is actually the largest square in northern Germany, and the Alter Schwede restaurant is located here in the oldest building in Wismar. It also houses the Schabbelhaus museum and the Vismarer wasserkunst, which was a water reservoir for the town's breweries.

There are quite a few old brick houses and one of them is the Furstenhof, which is beautifully decorated in terracotta. There are also several impressive churches, such as St Mary's Church and St George's Church.

Wismar
Fighting in the gunpowder smoke
Wismar kanon
The cannon will be on the cobblestone streets ...

Continued festivities

Wismar is not a very big town, but everywhere in the small centre it was obvious that there were festivities going on. All the outdoor cafes were open until late and the town was full of stalls selling beer, sausages, trinkets, clothes and various knick-knacks. Every shop and every small stand was flying Swedish flags so it almost felt a bit "home" ... A real schwedenfest in Wismar simply.

Schwenkgrill
Schwenkgrill ("swinging grill") decorated with Swedish flags
Schweden fest Wismar
Micke, Peter, Kenneth, Helena and Christina
Karoliner
Even the carolinas get tired and need to rest

Night in Wismar

We hung out at some of the outdoor cafes by the square, and in the evening we had breaded pike-perch at a simple fish restaurant by the harbour (Old Hansa Harbour). The evening ended with a really beautiful fireworks display at 11pm. Or ended and ended ... Christina's husband (who could not come earlier due to work) arrived in Wismar by plane and train at 01:00 at night, and a small party therefore waited until late at night.

Don't miss out on the blog again, as we will of course tell you more, including about the town of Wismar and the campsite. You can also take a look at the blog Adventures with Xoe and Oliviawritten by Arne and Benita, who are also travelling with us. There you will find further reports!

Video for those who want to join the Schwedenfest in Wismar!

All our top tips about Germany. Click on the image!

Facts about Wismar and Schwedenfest

  • Country: Germany
  • Language: German (some also speak English)
  • Currency: Euro
  • Price mode: A bit cheaper than Sweden
  • Residents: Wismar 43 000 (2018)
  • Time difference: None
  • Emergency number: 112
  • Religion: Christianity
  • El: Like Sweden
  • Water: Drinking beard
  • Tourist OfficeLübsche Str. 23a

Travelling to Wismar

  • Flight: Flights from Stockholm to Hamburg and there are direct flights every day that take 1 hour 35 minutes. Rent a car at Hamburg Airport and drive via A1 and A20 which takes 1.5 hours (134 km) to Wismar.
  • Car/caravan: Ferry Gothenburg-Kiel with Stena Line (car from Kiel via A20 takes 1 h 40 min), ferry Trelleborg-Rostock with Stena Line (car from Rostock via A20 takes 50 min) or ferry Trelleborg-Sassnitz with Stena Line (car from Sassnitz via A20 takes 2 h 20 min).

Food and drink in Wismar

  • Old Swede at Am Markt 22 is located on the square and is the oldest building in Wismar.
  • Restaurant and café Schwedenwache at Am Markt 9 is also located on the main square.

Accommodation in Wismar

  • Hotel: There are many different hotels in Wismar. Search for example on Hotels.com. The Steigenberger Hotel Stadt Hamburg at Am Markt 24 is located in the centre of the square in Wismar.
  • Camping: Ostsee camping Zierow on Strandstr. 19 c we stayed at during our stay. Drive via Lübsche Str towards Wismar and it takes 15 minutes and is 8.8 km.
  • Parking space: Wohnmobilpark Westhafen in Wismar at Schiffbauerdamm 12 is a caravan park.

You might also like:

Reeperbahn i HamburgGuided Beatles tour in Hamburg - join us at the Reeperbahn Residenset i WürzburgResidence in Würzburg - stunning German baroque palace Göra i DresdenThings to do in Dresden - 18 sights and experiences Gruvan i RammelsbergRammelsberg Mine - a Unesco World Heritage Site in Goslar Hofgarten Eremitage i BayreuthHofgarten Eremitage in Bayreuth - amazing park in Bavaria Elbphilharmonie i HamburgElbphilharmonie in Hamburg - concert hall and landmark building

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20 August 2017 6:00
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Things to see and do in the Hanseatic City of Wismar

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34 Comments

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  1. Mr Steve says:

    Nice party, but a bit too belligerent. But that's how it was in those days.

    20 August 2017 - 9:49

    Reply

  2. 4000mil says:

    It looks really nice, that one. I like history, and I know German, so I think I would have enjoyed it! 🙂

    20 August 2017 - 10:09

    Reply

  3. Husis blog says:

    How nice that the owners can enjoy the city again, but in a different way and, above all, with a completely different theme.

    20 August 2017 - 10:36

    Reply

  4. Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

    Well, now you know all about the Swedes' wild ride in Europe. But you must have had fun

    20 August 2017 - 10:43

    Reply

  5. Ditte says:

    What fun to be part of this. And it's great to be in the centre of history.
    Stay well!

    20 August 2017 - 11:33

    Reply

  6. Lena & Jan says:

    Does the celebration prove that the Swedes did not behave too badly after all, as it is celebrated, or do I misunderstand that it is instead celebrated because the Swedes gave back the area?

    20 August 2017 - 13:32

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      It is said that they celebrate to remember the years Wismar belonged to Sweden. The Swedes built a lot, among other things, and there is a Swedish history here that is celebrated. On the other hand, the celebrations are always close to the date when Mecklenburg retook the town.

      20 August 2017 - 15:52

      Reply

  7. Snows says:

    What a great feeling to be at the centre of this historic celebration! Sweden has been very involved in these areas.

    Happy Sunday!

    20 August 2017 - 15:13

    Reply

  8. Matts Torebring says:

    Nice and historical, to move on former old Swedish lands.

    20 August 2017 - 16:31

    Reply

  9. Åsa says:

    Haha! Schwedenfest! That doesn't sound entirely clean these days, does it? 😉

    20 August 2017 - 18:12

    Reply

  10. LinizTravel says:

    What a nice trip! You barely got home 😉 hope to see you soon?! Hugs

    20 August 2017 - 19:47

    Reply

  11. BP says:

    Wismar really seems to be a cosy town. Also, I spontaneously thought of the Carolinians whose holding of the weapons was not very organised;-)
    I recognise that grill from the food festival at Sergels Torg. You see - history is not my thing;-)

    20 August 2017 - 20:07

    Reply

  13. Kjell/Dessan says:

    We were there a few years ago, and there was also a Swedish party ?great little town?

    21 August 2017 - 6:03

    Reply

  14. Veiken says:

    Sweden advances! Fun with a bit of history. Imagine celebrating Sweden in this way in Wismar!

    21 August 2017 - 8:18

    Reply

  15. Motorhome Helge says:

    Lovely party in old Swedish parts. Always fun with historical elements, no matter what type, when travelling. In addition, Wismar has so many buildings with exciting history.

    21 August 2017 - 11:18

    Reply

  16. Christina & Måns says:

    Thank you very much for a nice stay at the campsite in Otsee and in Wismar. Almost forgot the trips across the Baltic Sea and the Boarder shop... We defied the rain and kept our spirits up? Big hug to all of you who were on this trip ? Hope to see you again on new adventures❤.

    21 August 2017 - 19:10

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Thank you! So much fun that you wanted to come along and you really contributed to a nice and happy atmosphere with the mood on top, despite all the rain! Have a great time! Hugs

      22 August 2017 - 7:47

      Reply

  17. Johan Persson says:

    Such a fun thing! Must go there next year:)

    23 August 2017 - 22:43

    Reply

  18. Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

    So fun to travel so many together! You seem to have had a great time!

    Greetings Agneta

    25 August 2017 - 11:21

    Reply

5 Pingbacks

  1. Things to see and do in the Hanseatic city of Wismar | FREEDOMtravel Travel Blog
  2. First day of Elmia - Industry news and nice meetings | FREEDOMtravel
  3. Wismar in Germany - what to see and do in Wismar | FREEDOMtravel
  4. Sweden in Germany - 12 places with a Swedish connection | FREEDOMtravel
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