Fischerdörfer, Hafenstädte und "Kaiserbäder": neuzeitliche maritime Urbanisierung im Ostseeraum

Abstract

An extraordinarily important component of modern change in maritime culture in the Baltic region was the urbanization of fishing villages into harbour towns and large seaside resorts. This urbanization was initially evident from around 1700, and has continued into the present. To illustrate this process the author gives us eight municipal histories: those of Frederikshavn and Hirtshals in Denmark, Råå in Sweden, Pillau and Swinemünde in Germany, Mariehamn in Finland, and Gdynia and Władysławowo in Poland. To show the development of the seaside resorts, the history of Zoppot is described. Different aspects of this urbanization are considered, such as the geographical situation, the land-traffic connections, the phases of harbour construction including (in certain cases) the establishment of naval bases, the foundation of local maritime industries (shipbuilding, engine construction, the establishment of ice factories and cooling halls, fisheries and fuel depots), and also specific local developments of other kinds (consulates, sailing schools, ferries, radio stations and maritime museums). A large amount of as yet unpublished source material has also been included.