Medieval Wismar, a member of the Hanseatic League, is the only town of its size on the southern Baltic that remains virtually intact. Back in the 14th and 15th century, it was an important Hanseatic trading post. Its historic harbour once formed the backbone of the maritime merchantry, and remains an authentic reminder to this day. Wherever you look you'll see evidence of the town's heritage. Inscribed in the World Heritage list are the classical town hall built between 1817 and 1819, the Renaissance-style water pavilion, the Gothic town house and Schabbelhaus local history museum.