Wismar is a port and Hanseatic city in Northern Germany, located on the Baltic Sea in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern about 45 km (28 mi) east of Lübeck and 30 km (19 mi) north of Schwerin. Its natural harbour, located in the Bay of Wismar is protected by a promontory. As part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, in 2013 Wismar had a population of 42,219 inhabitants. It is the capital of the district of Nordwestmecklenburg.

Situated in the historical region of Mecklenburg, Wismar was founded in the late 12th century or early 13th century. Throughout its history, the city has been under control of various German states as well as the Swedish Empire. It became part of the German Empire in 1871, although Sweden officially renounced its claims to the city only in 1903. Wismar is a typical representative of the Hanseatic League city with its city-wide Brick Gothic structures and iconic gabled patrician houses and has alongside the historical old town of Stralsund been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sites site in 2002.

The historical old town, centred by the huge market place (one of the largest in northern Germany, 10,000 m² (110,000 sq ft)), is characterized by town houses, manufacture and trading structures of the Hanseatic League, built in Brick Gothic style during the 13th to 15th centuries, 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture and Art Nouveau houses. Distinctive buildings and military works, built during the period of Swedish control during the 17th and the 18th centuries provide another layer of cultural influence.

The market square's focal point is the Wasserkunst, an elaborate wrought-iron fountain imported from Holland in 1602. The northern side of the square is occupied by the Town Hall, built in Neoclassical style from 1817 to 1819. Another notable building on the square is a Brick Gothic patrician's home (Bürgerhaus) called Alter Schwede (Old Swede), erected around 1380.

St. George's Church, the third so-named edifice on the site, dates from 1404. It had escaped major damage during most of World War II, but on 14 April 1945, three weeks before the end of the war it was badly damaged by "Blockbuster bombs" dropped by the British Royal Air Force. Reconstruction after German reunification, costing some 40 million Euros, was completed in 2010.

The 80 m (260 ft) high tower church of St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) is the only remainder of the original Brick Gothic edifice, built during the first half of the 13th century. It suffered heavy damage in World War II, and was partially razed in 1960 during the East German era.

St. Mary's Church and the church of St. Nicholas (Nikolaikirche) with its very lofty vaulting, built from 1381 to 1460, serve as prime examples of Lübeck's St. Mary's Churches architectural influence on the entire region.

The Fürstenhof, a richly decorated specimen of early Italian Renaissance style was once a ducal residence and served later as the seat of the municipal authorities. Built from 1552 to 1565, it was restored from 1877 to 1879. The Old School, dating from about 1300, has also been restored. The town hall, rebuilt in 1829, houses a gallery of paintings. The Fine Arts Municipal Gallery Baumhaus is located in the old harbour area.