Sailors' Metropolis

Tourism is one of the most important branches of the town of Rostock. The figures for overnight stays in Rostock have more than doubled in the last few years. Additionally Warnemiinde has become one of the most important ports for cruise liners in the Southern region of the Baltic sea.

All tourists and people who arrive by sea pass by the new marina 'Hohe Dime' which is under construction now. With an investment total of about 100 million Euro, the marina is being built East of the sea channel on the peninsula-like dunes. Space to moor about 750 boats with all required facilities, lay-up areas on land for rowing-boats and building complexes with maritime tourism services and hotels will be completed in April 2005. The first yachts and ships can already berth from May 2004 on.

The calendar for 2004 has in agenda the European Championships of the boat classes 470 (1-10 June), laser boats (16-24 July) and the Flying Dutchman World Championships (27 July - 3 August) and one of the largest international events in Germany, 67 Warnemiinde Week (3-11 July). This summer the junior championships of all olympic classes are on the programme. Also for the first time, some of the yachtsmen will be leaving from the new 'Hohe Diine' marina. The Warnemiinde Week has much to offer to land and beach visitors apart from the thrilling regattas music, entertainment, culture attractions.

Rostock will host also Baltic Sail (part of the Hansa Sail) which promotes international understanding and represents Baltic hospitality. Five Baltic cities, Gdansk, Karlskrona, Rostock, Helsingor and Liibeck, will be the hosts of the exciting harbour festivals between 22 July and 22 August. And the Baltic Sail family is still growing: recently, the city of Klaipeda/Lithuania became anewmember. In summer 2005 it is expected to be one of the destinations of the itinerary.

The captain of the 83-year-old four mast bark Sedov from Russia already confirmed that the windjammer will be in Rostock again in August 2004 at the 14th Hanse Sail. During the winter, aproject group put into practice an arrangement of red, blue and white lights under the theme 'The Colours of the Hanseatic City of Rostock'. Students from Germany, Turquey and India, as well as the Russian crew, arranged all the lights in up to 64 meters of height in only two days. On Christmas Eve, all lights turned on giving extremly beautiful picture.