Rostock (pop 199,000) is the largest city in north-eastern Germany. A major shipbuilding and shipping city, much of it was destroyed in World War II. The city hosted the International Garden Show (Internationale Gartenausstellung) in 2003, raising the city’s profile internationally.

Get a time check from the 12 m high astronomical clock in the centre of Rostock, which has run continuously since it was modernised in 1643. At 12 am and 12 pm doors in the clock open and the Apostles march out around Jesus. The clock tells the time, day, date, star signs and planetary movements.