The Hanseatic window
These emblems did not appear in the original St. Nicholas Church. They were newly installed during the reconstruction of the Church in 2010, to commemorate Anklam's Hanseatic past and the former Hanseatic alliance. Not to mention, of course, to pay appropriate tribute to DIE HANSE, the new association of cities founded in 1980.
It is precisely this New Hanseatic League that donated and placed these stained-glass windows here in St. Nicholas Church. A large part of the emblems can be found in the northern and southern part of the church. The Anklam Hanseatic emblem is on the west side, surrounded by the emblems of the twinned towns of Heide, Burlö, Gmina Ustka and Limbazi.
Let’s touch upon the significance of the Hanseatic League: In the Middle Ages, over 200 cities joined forces and began trading all over Europe. Alongside the common economic interests, the security of trade routes was also an essential part of this alliance at the time. In this way, the Hanseatic League didn’t just represent a major economic influence, but also a political and cultural one.
Today’s small and tranquil town of Anklam benefited enormously from its membership in the Hanseatic League, which lasted 383 years. Trade didn’t just enrich the merchants, but the city itself, with its access to the Baltic Sea. A fact that is no better evidenced than by the impressive brick church.
The era of the Hanseatic League came to an end in the 17th Century. The reasons for this were the consolidation of territorial states and the transfer of trade routes from the sea to land.
Unlike its predecessor, the modern league of cities ‘DIE HANSE’ does not have any economic interests. Instead, it regards itself much more as a social and cultural community of cities across borders.