Demmin

Demmin grew at a crossing of rivers and roads in western Pomerania. Its strongholds guarded the lands of the Slavic Circipanians, and Bishop Otto of Bamberg visited in 1127 during the Christianization of the region. The town became the seat of a small duchy in 1160 and was reunited with Pomerania in 1264. Its municipal privileges were confirmed in 1292.

The partition of Pomerania in 1295 divided authority here: the town went to the dukes of Wolgast, while the castle passed to the dukes of Szczecin. In 1326 Duke Otto I exempted all merchants coming to the town of Demmin from local customs and taxes. Mecklenburg besieged the town unsuccessfully in 1327 during the War of the Rügen Succession. From 1478 Demmin belonged to the reunified Duchy of Pomerania.