Demmin
Demmin is a Hanseatic town and the administrative seat of the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district in the northeastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.[1] Located at the confluence of the Peene, Tollense, and Trebel rivers in the Peene Valley, it had a population of 9,583 in 2024.[1][2] Originating as a 12th-century castle settlement that served as a royal seat for West Pomeranian dukes, Demmin joined the Hanseatic League in 1283 and remained active until 1615, fostering trade and economic prosperity.[2] The town achieved official Hanseatic city status in 1994 and is recognized for its preserved medieval architecture, including remnants of Slavic fortifications and the Gothic St. Bartholomew's Church.[2] Demmin gained tragic historical prominence in early May 1945, when hundreds of civilians, gripped by fear of Soviet retribution amid reports of atrocities, committed mass suicide by drowning, hanging, and poisoning as Red Army forces approached and subsequently looted the town.[3][4] Today, it emphasizes tourism, leveraging its natural fen landscapes and cultural heritage while facing demographic challenges common to rural eastern Germany.[2]