If only we knew what architectural, scenic, and historical gems await us just outside Berlin, we would probably take more trips to the surrounding area. When the Hollywood fever of the Berlinale, the premiere hype, and the capital’s latest digital exhibitions become too much, Brandenburg offers the most beautiful places of refuge. From the state’s oldest spa town to the proverbial “gates of heaven” – each of these rather small places tells its own impressive story. And today we would like to introduce you to a new favorite on this list: Neulietzegöricke, probably Brandenburg’s most symmetrical village ensemble, founded in the 18th century under Frederick II.
Neulietzegöricke is considered the best-preserved colonial village in the Oderbruch. In the course of drainage, it was laid out in a strictly symmetrical manner – with a wide village street, plots of equal size, uniform half-timbered houses, and a centrally located church. This order is no coincidence, but rather an expression of enlightened state planning: under Frederick II, the newly gained land was to be used economically efficiently. To this end, colonists from various regions, including the Palatinate and Württemberg, were deliberately settled there.
In the 18th century, the Oderbruch was still largely marshland. It was only through a gigantic drainage project that the landscape was made arable. The aim was to gain more arable land, strengthen the domestic economy, and promote population growth. Neulietzegöricke was created in this context as one of those “model villages” – almost like a Prussian experiment in the open air.
Photo: @click_nic (Instagram)
Today, typical half-timbered colonist houses characterize the townscape, along with a centrally located village church, thatched and tiled roofs, and an exceptionally harmonious ensemble. The village is largely listed as a historic monument and has retained its historic structure. The atmosphere is calm, almost meditative. In recent years, numerous artists and people seeking a rural lifestyle have carefully restored houses and breathed new life into the village. Neulietzegöricke is not a tourist hotspot – and that is precisely what makes it so appealing. It is ideal for cycling tours through the Oderbruch, for photography, or for a relaxing weekend getaway from Berlin.