Our first stop in Germany was in an area that once was East Germany and part of the Soviet Union. While many people from our cruise ship chose to take a train to Berlin, we decided to visit another Baltic City and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wismar.
The first place we went to in Wismar was the center town square, or Market Place. Our tour guide, a college student, first told us about the square and its important architectural structures, then walked us to a wonderful metal 3-dimensional, braille map of the city. When we arrived, a blind man and his care giver were at the map. The man was examining the map with his fingers, as the woman explained what each place was, naming streets and buildings.
Map of Wismar
Our guide waited a bit, then asked politely if he could talk to us about the map. (I was glad to know I still understand German, even though I have not used it in 20 years.) Most important, I was impressed with the map. I asked the guide if Wismar had a school for the blind, and so the map was there for this purpose. He asked the care giver, who replied that was not the case. The map was just there for anyone to use.
That was that, or so I thought.
St. Mary’s Church tower.
As we walked our guide told us about Wismar and the bombing damage during World War 2. Two churches close to the town center, St. Mary’s Church and St. George’s Church, were heavily damaged. Although St. George’s Church was rebuilt, St. Mary’s has only its main tower remaining and the start of a park that will be in the shape of the outline of the original church.
When we got to St. Mary’s Church. I was surprised to see another braille map this one detailing the destroyed church and its environs. It was being examined by the blind gentleman we had seen earlier. We waited until he was finished, then we walked over to examine the map ourselves. It was interesting to see the details of the church from before the war.
After viewing this map, we visited both churches. The St. George’s Church has been rebuilt, but nothing remains inside. It is now used for concerts because the acoustics are excellent. Inside the remaining tower of St. Mary’s Church are some displays about the churches in the city.
We signed up for this tour for another important visit, to the one brewery in Wismar. Centuries ago, there were almost 200 breweries in the town. During the Soviet occupation, all breweries were closed and the beer came from other cities. In 1995 Herbert Wenzel purchased a building that had been a brewery in the 15th century. It is now the only brewery in Wismar. We visited the now named, Brauhaus am Lohberg zu Wismar, and tasted three of its beers.
Although the brewery, the port and the town center were all delightful and gave good reason for this to be a UNESCO heritage site, it was the braille maps that gave me the most joy. What a great idea! And to see someone actually using it made it so much more meaningful. I loved these two maps.
I thought when leaving Wismar, I would not see them again. But I was wrong. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lubeck also had a braille map that was used by our tour guide to explain the old city to us. I really enjoy seeing the city from an overview.
Map of Lubeck
I was very curious about these maps. Were they a German government idea? I thought maybe a UNESCO plan? I did not see these maps at any other UNESCO World Heritage Site. When I looked back at my photos, I realized he map in Lubeck had a big clue. On the map was a note in German that mentioned that the map was a gift from the Rotary Club Lubeck-Holstentor and said the maps were for the blind and sighted people.
Map of Lubeck with information about donors
That helped. I knew that Rotary Clubs do community service and specifically have activities for the blind. In 2017 Rotary International joined with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) to combat blindness. I am assumed the map in Wismar was also donated by a Rotary Club, but I was wrong. When I looked back at my Wismar photos more closely, I saw that this map was donated by a large number of organizations, starting with the Lions Club of Wismar. I am aware of what Lions Clubs do as well. I often donate my old eyeglasses to the Lions Club!
I personally would like to thank the Rotary Club of Lubeck-Holstentor and the Lions Club of Wismar along with all the other organizations for these great maps!! I have an affinity for anything that helps the blind and vision impaired. My mother was blind in one eye due to childhood accident. Throughout my life, she constantly dealt with issues concerning her eye and was vigilant in making sure we had good eye health. These maps delighted me and touched my heart.
https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-partners-international-agency-prevention-blindness
zicharonot 
What a wonderful idea! And I didn’t know you know German!!
Four years in high school. I don’t get to use it often. I understand more than I can speak now. But it comes in handy!