A shark that is over 350 years old is returning to Stralsund!

A shark that is over 350 years old is returning to Stralsund!

Stralsund is currently causing a stir with a very special attraction. Since June 17, 2025, a porbeagle shark specimen that is over 350 years old has adorned the city's St. Nicholas Church. This historical piece, which was washed ashore during a storm surge on November 20, 1670, hangs impressively at a height of around ten meters and attracts the attention of visitors. The gruesome appearance of the 1.40 meter long shark, which looks scary due to its dryness and gaping mouth, is a new discovery for many church visitors. Many were previously unaware of the animal's existence and are now even more amazed.

The restorer at the German Oceanographic Museum, Lena Müller, is pleased with the remarkable state of preservation of the specimen, which is well preserved despite slight signs of weathering. To stabilize the surface, the shark was treated with isinglass. A scientific study is planned to find out more precisely whether the animal was only salted or prepared with arsenic. This is particularly interesting because professional taxidermy was not yet common in the 17th century; At that time, many self-taught taxidermists worked with simple means.

Insight into the marine world

Stralsund is not only known for its porbeagle shark, but also as a center for imparting knowledge about the seas. The German Oceanographic Museum Foundation, which runs the Oceaneum and the Oceanographic Museum, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Marine Museum recently reopened its doors after extensive modernization and offers an impressive variety of tropical sea creatures on an exhibition area of ​​7,500 square meters. Visitors can admire anemonefish, turtles and corals, among other things.

A special highlight is a newly designed aquarium tour with 31 tanks, which shows habitats from the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The Maldives Basin is also home to sea turtles, while an 800,000 liter large aquarium recreates a Caribbean reef. Anyone who would like to see animals such as the ear-spotted tube eel or clown fish will also find what they are looking for here.

Visitor feedback and special features

Visitors to the Maritime Museum give a consistently positive response in their reports. However, one guest complains about the handling of the closure of the Oceanium, where the lighting abruptly went out during his visit and he had to walk through the remaining areas in the dark. In this regard, the experience was perceived as inappropriate due to a lack of warnings. The entrance fee of 18 euros for the Meeresum was perceived as outrageous, considering the unfortunate exit. Regardless, the Maritime Museum still attracts droves of visitors and is an important part of Stralsund's cultural heritage.

With spectacular attractions such as the porbeagle shark in the Nikolaikirche and the newly designed exhibitions in the Maritime Museum, Stralsund shows that the city still has an excellent reputation for imparting knowledge about marine animals and their habitats. The combination of culture, history and nature makes Stralsund an unforgettable destination for locals and tourists alike.

For further information please visit the website Northern Courier, Tripadvisor and NDR.