Rostock

Rostock, Germany´s gateway to the Baltic, boomed in the 19th century thanks to shipbuilding and the wheat trade, but then bombed (literally) during the second world war.

Its renaissance was double-edged - the industrial focus of communist East Germany gave it a renewed importance, but with reunification it lost its principal postition as a priveleged port.

Today it still has the air of an important city, together with reminders of its darker side.

This is reflected for me by this attractive but serious (gloomy?) statue, which I think is Triton, together with other sea gods Neptune, Nereus and Proteus. in the centre of the otherwise colourful and bustling Neuer Markt (new if you lived in the 13th century!).