Demmin looks back on a long and eventful history. The first settlers from the Slavic clan of the Wilzen colonised this region already in the 5th century. Later, the Dukes of Pomerania, who temporarily resided in Demmin, built a fortress here, around which a trade emporium was developed. According to an account of a journey recorded in 1067, Demmin was already described as a "very big town" back then. From 1236 on, German colonists systematically expanded the town. Finally in 1249 the settlement was granted town status on the basis of the Hanseatic town charter of Lübeck.
Demmin prospered in the late Middle Ages. From 1283 to 1607 the town was a member of the Hanseatic League. Among the architectural witnesses of that epoch are the brick powder magazine, the Pulverturm, the late Gothic parish church of St. Bartholomeo and the town gate Luisentor - a vestige of the town walls from the 15th century.
In 1631 the town was occupied by the Swedes under King Gustav Adolf and recaptured by the Great Prince Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg in 1676. During the combat over the town, it burnt down to 30 houses. Between 1712 and 1713 Demmin harboured the court's camp of Peter the Great for a short time. In 1720 the town was finally surrendered to the Prussians. After 1860 the Second Pomeranian Uhlan Regiment Number 9 was stationed in Demmin.
In 1945 eighty percent of the Old Town fell victim to the pillages of the Soviet Red Army. During these raids approximately 900 people of Demmin committed suicide. The background of these dramatic incidences was never clearly determined.
The step-by-step redevelopment of Demmin began in 1993. The town hall, which was rebuilt according to its historical archetype, was inaugurated in 1998.
The economic importance of Demmin consists in its function as a marketplace and trans-shipment centre for regional agricultural products. In addition, the food and metal working industries have established businesses here. Demmin is the administrative centre of the district of the same name.
Stadtinformation Hansestadt Demmin
Am Bahnhof
PF 1255
17102 Hansestadt Demmin
phone: 03998-225077
fax: 03998-225077
e-mail: info@demmin.de
Internet: www.demmin.de