St. Mary’s Church, Rostock

St. Mary's Church, Rostock tickets: which one to buy

Saint Mary's Church stands in the centre of Rostock, a Hanseatic city on Germany's Baltic coast, near the New Market and the Town Hall, and a small admission is charged for visitors, with an extra fee for the tower. It is the largest church in Rostock and famous for its astronomical clock. Walking tours of Rostock combine the church with the Town Hall, the Kropeliner Tor gate, the university and the old harbour.

Rostock is also the gateway to the seaside resort of Warnemunde, about twenty minutes away by suburban train, where cruise ships dock, and many cruise passengers visit Rostock on excursions. The church is an active Lutheran parish, and concerts are held regularly. The astronomical clock's figures parade at noon and midnight, so plan a visit around midday. Trams from the main station to the New Market stop a short walk from the church.

Visiting St. Mary's Church, Rostock: what to see

The church was built in the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries in the Brick Gothic style typical of the Hanseatic towns of the Baltic, with a massive westwork and tower, and a tall basilica nave. It survived the Second World War almost undamaged, unlike much of Rostock. Its most famous treasure is the astronomical clock, built in 1472 by Hans Duringer, which still functions with its original mechanism; it shows the time, the zodiac, the phases of the moon and a calendar that is valid until 2017 and was replaced by a new calendar disc valid until 2150. At noon and midnight, figures of the apostles process around Christ.

The church also has a bronze baptismal font from 1290, supported by figures of the four evangelists, a baroque organ from 1770 and a Gothic altar. The tower gives views over the city and the harbour. The astronomical clock stands behind the high altar, and its upper section shows the procession of the apostles in a small gallery. The church's pulpit is carved in Renaissance style. The organ, restored in recent years, has a richly decorated case. Epitaphs and memorials of Rostock families line the walls. The church's windows include modern stained glass. The nave's height makes it one of the tallest Brick Gothic churches in the region. The tower's viewing platform is reached by narrow stairs.

St. Mary's Church, Rostock opening hours and the best time to go

The church is open daily, with longer hours in summer and shorter hours in winter; visiting is limited during services. The apostle procession of the astronomical clock happens at noon and midnight. Rostock is busiest in summer, particularly during the Hanse Sail in August, a large maritime festival with tall ships. The Christmas market is one of the largest in northern Germany. Mornings are quiet. Allow about half an hour for the church and clock, and take the train to Warnemunde for the beach. The Kulturhistorisches Museum in a former monastery, near the university, displays Rostock's history and art.