Schwerin

Founded in 1160 by order of Henry the Lion near the Slavic stronghold of Zucarin, which fell in 1018, Schwerin was the first town in the region recaptured from the Slavs.

From 1167 to 1648, the city was the bishop's residence and the spiritual center of the entire region.

In 1358, Albrecht II, Duke of Mecklenburg, inherited the town, which had the right to be a count's residence and settled in the castle. Except for two interruptions, the residence was the seat of the Dukes of Mecklenburg until 1918. In 1628-1631, the Dukes had to leave their ancestral castle as a punishment for their alliance with Denmark and resided in Ludwigslust from 1756-1837.

In the XVIth century, the city was known as the Florence of the North.

Since 1701, Schwerin has been the capital of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1815, Schwerin received the status of a Grand Duchy.