Marketplace | Market & Events

The Marketplace in Schwerin is much more than just a simple square in the city center. It refers to the historic Old Town Market, which is one of the most well-known places in Schwerin's Old Town and continues to serve as a meeting point, event space, and starting point for discoveries. Those who arrive here experience not only the classic charm of a North German marketplace but also a vibrant mix of history, gastronomy, city life, and seasonal markets. This connection between tradition and everyday life makes the square so special: during the day, visitors stroll between cafés, historic facades, and sights; on market days, stalls filled with fresh products and specialties fill the space; and on special occasions, the area transforms into a stage for concerts, festivals, and urban programs. The city of Schwerin describes the square as a lively place with cafés, where the Lion Monument, the Town Hall, and the colonnade shape the image. At the same time, its central location allows many destinations in the Old Town to be easily reached on foot. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/altstadt/marktplatz/index.html))

Where is the Marketplace in Schwerin?

The Marketplace is located in the heart of Schwerin's Old Town and forms one of the most important orientation points there. In the official city description, the Old Town Market is depicted as a square with cafés, historic atmosphere, and distinctive buildings. The surrounding area is particularly defining: behind the Lion Monument stands Schwerin Cathedral, next to it is the Town Hall, and the colonnade provides a striking architectural contrast with its light facade against the brick buildings of the surroundings. This neighborhood ensures that the place does not feel like an isolated area but rather a vibrant part of the historic city center. The Tourist Information is also located nearby at Markt 14, which further strengthens the square as a starting point for a visit to the Old Town. Therefore, those who visit the Marketplace do not experience just any center, but a space where city history, public life, and tourist orientation meaningfully connect. The location between Puschkinstraße, Town Hall, and Cathedral makes it one of the most characteristic places in the city center. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/altstadt/marktplatz/index.html))

The special appeal of the Marketplace also lies in its open, urban structure. Unlike pure pedestrian zones or traffic areas, this square has a clear quality for staying. The city emphasizes that there are about 2000 car parking spaces within 650 meters of the marketplace, while the area around the square is heavily oriented towards pedestrians. For visitors, this means: one can aim for the market as a destination, linger there, and then continue to stroll through the Old Town. Particularly around the Lion Monument and the colonnade, a picture emerges that makes the history of the place visible without appearing museum-like. The city itself describes that the colonnade was built in 1785 as a market hall to organize the then chaotic trading stalls. Today, it has become a pastry café, while the market activity takes place outside again. This transformation illustrates very well how the square has changed over time without losing its central role. Those seeking atmosphere, short distances, and an urban but not hectic environment will find one of the most pleasant starting points for Schwerin here. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/altstadt/marktplatz/index.html))

Weekly Market, Specialty Markets, and Events

A key reason why the Marketplace in Schwerin works so well is its role as a market and event location. The city's market overview lists the Old Town Market as a permanent weekly market location with market hours on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Additionally, the butcher's market in Schwerin's Old Town is listed as a weekly market location on Wednesdays and Fridays. For visitors, this means a reliable offering structure with fresh food, regional products, and an atmosphere typical of urban markets. The historical and seasonal specialty markets also give the square additional profile. In the city's event planning, the Martensmarkt in the Old Town, which takes place at the Old Town Market and the butcher's market, as well as other recurring markets and festivals, appear. These include spring and craft formats that create additional foot traffic in the city center and Old Town area. Therefore, the Marketplace is not just a backdrop but an active stage where trade, culinary experiences, and city life regularly meet. This makes it equally interesting for locals and guests, as one can not only look but actually experience something here. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/veranstaltungen/maerkte-verkaufsoffene-sonntage/))

Even during larger city events, the Marketplace plays a central role. In the official documentation for the citizen festival, the marketplace is described as the largest urban event space, equipped with seating, gastronomy, and a stage program. This clearly shows that the square is designed not only for everyday life but also for large formats. There, sing-along concerts, band performances, and public cultural offerings take place, transforming the market into a shared experience area. Additionally, the square is repeatedly mentioned in the event calendar in connection with special city moments, such as during the Venetian Days, when guided tours and programs lead through the Old Town, or during the Old Town Festival, which showcases the entire area between the market, Pfaffenteich, and other city center areas. For visitors, this is particularly attractive because the Marketplace is not tied to a single purpose. Depending on the day and season, it can be a classic weekly market, festival site, cultural venue, or meeting point for walks. This diversity also explains why the square is more than just a geographical point on the map for many people. It is a functioning urban space that regularly acquires new faces and new stories. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/export/sites/default/.galleries/Dokumente/Verwaltung/Stadtanzeiger/Stadtanzeiger-2024/STA_Ausgabe_20_2024.pdf))

Access, Parking, and Bicycle Parking

For access to the Marketplace, two things are particularly important: the good accessibility of the city center and the traffic-calmed location directly at the historic center. The city has designated the section of Puschkinstraße between Markt and Friedrichstraße as a traffic-calmed area. Here, walking speed applies, pedestrians have priority, and can use the street in its entirety. For visitors, this is a clear advantage because the paths around the market become quieter, safer, and more pleasant. Those coming on foot from the surrounding streets quickly feel that this part of the Old Town is deliberately designed for staying rather than through traffic. At the same time, the official city map indicates that there are about 2000 car parking spaces within a radius of 650 meters around the marketplace. Mentioned are, among others, the parking lot and parking garage offerings in the Schlossparkcenter area, Schweriner Höfe, parking garage at the castle, and other inner-city areas. This means: the Marketplace is also easily accessible by car without needing to park directly at the square itself. Especially during event times, this mix of pedestrian-friendliness and surrounding parking infrastructure is helpful. ([cms.schwerin.de](https://cms.schwerin.de/news/bereich-zwischen-markt-und-friedrichstrasse-verkehrsberuhigt/))

Additionally, the bicycle offering is particularly practical. The city has set up 18 bicycle parking spaces with 9 bike racks in the southern area of the marketplace among the trees. This shows that the square is not only intended for tourist strolls or the weekly market but also for everyday cycling. Therefore, those traveling sustainably will find an easy parking option right at the location. Together with the traffic-calmed Puschkinstraße, this creates a clear priority for environmentally friendly and pedestrian-oriented mobility. For many visitors, this is a plus point because the way to the market is not complicated by difficult traffic routes. Furthermore, the central location allows for good combinations with other destinations in the Old Town, such as the Cathedral, Town Hall, shopping opportunities, and gastronomic offerings. Therefore, the Marketplace is suitable not only as a single destination but also as a hub for an entire city visit. Those arriving should decide based on their day's condition whether the convenient walk, bicycle, or one of the nearby parking garages is the best choice. In any case, the square is embedded in such a way that it can be flexibly integrated into the city visit. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/news/stellplaetze-fahrraeder-marktplatz/))

History, Architecture, and Sights

The history of the Marketplace is closely linked to the development of Schwerin's Old Town. The official city website points out that the trace of the square goes back to the founding history. This is particularly visible at the Lion Monument for Henry the Lion, which stands at the Old Town Market and serves as a prominent symbol of historical remembrance. The city describes the memorial column as a work created on the occasion of the 1000-year celebration of Mecklenburg, and with its four-and-a-half-meter-high pyramid, it not only shows historical episodes but also controversial imagery. Regardless of the monument's impact, it is clear: it is one of the most distinctive landmarks of the square and makes it unmistakable. Directly behind it stands Schwerin Cathedral, whose brick architecture clearly contrasts with the light colonnade. This spatial combination of sacred building, monument, and civic square creates a very distinctive urban space that is not found everywhere. For visitors, this mixture is interesting because it makes many layers of Schwerin's city history visible in a compact area. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/altstadt/marktplatz/index.html))

The Town Hall also strongly contributes to the historical character. According to the city website, it was first mentioned in 1351, survived several fires in the Middle Ages, and later received its facade design in Tudor style by court architect Georg Adolph Demmler. Today, the Town Hall is not only an administrative location but also a part of the cityscape that frames the square. Next to it, the colonnade stands out, which, with its 14 Doric columns and its origin as a market hall from 1785, has a special architectural history. The fact that it now houses a pastry café beautifully illustrates how historical substance can be reused without losing its identity. This combination of architecture, function, and public life makes the Marketplace so worthwhile for city visitors. One can trace how trade, representation, and everyday use have changed over decades in a compact space. Therefore, those who visit the square experience not only a pretty center but a piece of vibrant urban development that has remained visible and usable to this day. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/altstadt/marktplatz/index.html))

Practical Tips for Your Visit

For a relaxed visit to the Marketplace, it is worthwhile to align the day with the right conditions. Those who want to experience the market activity should plan for Wednesday, as the weekly market takes place at the Old Town Market then. The additional weekly market dates at the butcher's market also make the area attractive for a combined stroll through the Old Town. If you want to continue walking through Schwerin after visiting the market, the Tourist Information at Markt 14 is a particularly useful point of contact. There, further stops in the Old Town can be easily planned, and especially for first-time visitors, this is helpful because many destinations are only a few minutes apart. Therefore, the Marketplace serves well as a starting point for a walk through the city center, to the Cathedral, Town Hall, and other squares of the Old Town. The traffic-calmed Puschkinstraße and good accessibility by car or bicycle make the visit uncomplicated. At the same time, the open square structure ensures that one can also remain spontaneous without being tied to fixed schedules. Those who prefer to travel leisurely rather than hurriedly will particularly appreciate the character of the square: one can briefly stop, orient oneself at the cafés, give a moment's attention to the historic buildings, and then continue directly. This balance of staying, orientation, and movement is the greatest practical advantage of the Marketplace in Schwerin. ([schwerin.de](https://www.schwerin.de/kultur-tourismus/veranstaltungen/maerkte-verkaufsoffene-sonntage/))

Sources:

• Schwerin.de – Marketplace
• Schwerin.de – City Map Schwerin
• Schwerin.de – Marketplace gets 18 bicycle parking spaces
• Schwerin.de – Puschkinstraße is more pedestrian-friendly
• Schwerin.de – Schwerin Markets & Open Sundays
• Schwerin.de – Old Town Festival Schwerin
• Schwerin.de – Venetian Days 2025