The current Rathaus facade dates back to a major 1738 reconstruction following a fire.
The square is flanked by a diverse architectural timeline, featuring elements from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.
The marketplace served as the central node for trade during Greifswald's membership in the Hanseatic League.
A distinctive feature is the uneven, slightly trapezoidal layout of the square, common in medieval planning.
It is surrounded by several 'Giebelhäuser' (gabled houses) that survived the urban densification of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The square has served as a central site for civic life and public trials since the city received its Lübeck law charter in 1250.
Marktplatz Greifswald serves as the historic center of this Hanseatic city, characterized by its collection of preserved gabled houses and the dominant red-brick architecture typical of North German Gothic design. The square is anchored by the Rathaus, a structure originally built in the 13th century that has undergone significant modifications, including the addition of a Baroque-style facade following fires. The marketplace remains a central commercial and social hub, hosting regular weekly markets with regional food producers. It sits at the intersection of the city's pedestrian zones, facilitating easy access to surrounding historical streets. The site is a primary example of medieval urban planning in the Pomerania region. Several statues and monuments, including the fountain, provide focal points within the open pedestrian space. Visitors often utilize the square as a transit point to reach the nearby Greifswald Cathedral and the university grounds.
From the center of the square looking toward the Rathaus facade with the gabled houses in the frame.
Visit during the weekly market days to sample regional Pomeranian products and local cheese.
Observe the varying roof lines of the gabled houses to distinguish architectural eras.
Combine a visit here with a walk to the nearby St. Nikolai Cathedral.
Ignoring the side streets, which contain some of the best-preserved hidden courtyards in the city.
The square is public space and always accessible; market operations are limited to specific morning hours on select weekdays.
