ROSTOCK, a town of Germany, situated in the Land of Mecklenburg, one of the most important commercial cities on the Baltic. It is situated on the estuary of the Warnow, 8 m. from the port of Warnemiinde on the Baltic, 177 m. N.W. of Berlin by rail, 8o m. E.N.E. of Lubeck, and 106 m. S. of Copenhagen. Pop. (1933) 89,99o. It is probable that the site was occupied by a village from very early times but the first definite mention of the settlement occurs in the 12th century. The town received its municipal charter in 1218. The earliest signs of commercial pros perity date from about 126o. In the 14th century it joined the Hanseatic League; and was one of the original members of the powerful Wendish Hansa, in which it exercised an influence sec ond only to that of Liibeck. The most prosperous epoch of its commercial history began in the latter half of the 15th century. Rostock never entirely lost the independence which it enjoyed as a Hanse town; and in 1788, as the result of long contentions with the rulers of Mecklenburg, it secured for itself a peculiar and liberal municipal constitution. In 188o this constitution was some what modified, and the city became less like a state within a state. It has belonged to Mecklenburg-Schwerin since 1695.
The town consists of three parts—the old town to the east, and the middle and new towns to the west—of which the first re tains some of the antique features of a Hanse town. The town has four gates, one of them dating from the 14th century.
Rostock has five old churches : St. Mary's dating from 1398 to 1472, one of the most imposing Gothic buildings in Mecklenburg, with two Romanesque towers and containing a magnificent bronze font and a curious clock; St. Nicholas's, begun about 125o and
restored in 145o, and again in 1890-94; St. Peter's, with a lofty tower built in 140o, which serves as a landmark to ships at sea; St. James's, completed in 1588, and the church of the Holy Rood, begun in 127o. St. Mary's church contains a monument marking the original tomb of Hugo Grotius, who died in Rostock in 1645, though his remains were afterwards removed to Delft. Among other buildings are the curious 14th century Gothic town hall, the facade of which is concealed by a Renaissance addition; the former palace of the grand dukes, built in 1702 ; and the university buildings, erected in 1867-7o. The university of Rostock was founded in 1418. From 1437 till 1443 it had its seat at Greifswald in consequence of commotions at Rostock; and in 1760 it was again removed, on this occasion to BUtzow. The professors ap pointed by the city, however, still taught at Rostock, so that there were practically two universities in the duchy until 1789, when they were reunited at the original seat.
Rostock has a considerable trade, being the chief commercial town of Mecklenburg and vessels drawing 19 ft. of water are able to get up to the wharves. By far the most important export is grain; but bricks, sugar and salt are also shipped. The chief imports are coal, herrings, timber, wine and colonial goods. A train-ferry service to Denmark runs from Warnemiinde, the outpost of Rostock.