Schwerin

Schwerin lies among lakes on the south-western shore of the great lake that bears its name. A Slavic Obotrite settlement stood among the lakes here before Henry the Lion captured the place in 1160 and granted it town rights. The castle on an island in the lake grew into the residence of the rulers of Mecklenburg, and a cathedral rose above the town.

Schwerin became part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg in 1358 and developed as a ducal seat. Around 1500 its rulers began transforming the castle into a palace. After the division of Mecklenburg in 1621, Schwerin was the capital of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The court moved to Ludwigslust in 1765, but returned to Schwerin in 1837, restoring the lakeside town as the principal ducal capital once again.