Lassan

Lassan is a town in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.EtymologyThe name possibly derives from an Old Polabian word, Lěšane, meaning "forest dweller" or "forest dwelling".LocationThe town is situated on the Peenestrom river, a branch of the Oder, between Anklam and Wolgast. Both Anklam in the southwest and Wolgast in the north are approximately 15km from Lassan. Part of the municipality are also the villages of Pulow, Papendorf, Klein Jasedow and Waschow.Lassan has a small marina for sailboats and yachts. There is also a campsite for visitors in the town. A museum dedicated to the town is housed in a former watermill in the town.HistoryLassan was mentioned in written sources for the first time in 1136, when it was a German settlement with a castle. This settlement was however predated by a Slavic fishing village with a fortification. The Dukes of Pomerania regulated the layout of the town around 1200. Lassan received town privileges in 1274. The town still retains much of its medieval character, with the old street grid and the remains of a town wall. The town church, St. Johannis zu Lassan, is also medieval. Construction started around 1300 and the oldest parts are in a transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic. With its spire, it is 57m tall, 37m long and 24m broad. The church was renovated during the 1990s.