St. George's is the third of Wismar's great medieval brick churches, and in some ways the most interesting precisely because it is not yet finished. The church was badly damaged in the Second World War and left in a state of partial ruin throughout the East German period. Restoration work began after reunification and has continued for decades; the church has been structurally secured and the exterior largely restored, but the interior remains a work in progress. This means you can watch the craft of medieval brick restoration at close quarters — an unusual experience.
The scale of the church is impressive even in its current state, and the restored exterior shows the ambition of the original construction. Georgenkirche was the church of the common citizens of Wismar — Nikolaikirche belonged to the seafarers and merchants, and Marienkirche to the clergy and aristocracy — which made it, historically, the largest congregation in the city. The restoration is one of the more significant ongoing heritage projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and the building gains character from its long journey back.