The University of Rostock (German: Universität Rostock) is the university of the city Rostock, in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Founded in 1419, it is the oldest and largest university in continental northern Europe and the Baltic Sea area. It is the third oldest university in Germany in continuous operation. It was founded in 1419 by confirmation of Pope Martin V and thus is one of the oldest universities in continental Northern Europe. In Germany, there are only five older universities: Heidelberg (1386), Cologne (1388), Erfurt (1392/1994), Würzburg (1402/1582) and Leipzig (1409). Throughout the 15th century, the University of Rostock had about 400 to 500 students each year, a large number at that time. Rostock was among the largest universities in Germany at the time and many of its students also came from Holland, Scandinavia or other states bordering the Baltic Sea. In the course of political struggles and pressure from the church, the university moved to Greifswald in 1437 and remained there until 1443. From 1487 to 1488 teaching took place in Lübeck. A few years later the city of Rostock, its university also became Protestant in 1542.