While modernity, digitalization, and the trends of tomorrow pulsate in the capital, the centuries-old history of the country is still clearly palpable in the Berlin area. In the smaller towns around Berlin, the atmosphere of bygone times has been almost completely preserved in many places. This gives us the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city in our free time and immerse ourselves in earlier eras. When it comes to Prussian sites, there is an impressive selection: from the summer residence of the Prussian crown prince to the last Prussian castle in Germany—each of these complexes is an architectural gem in its own right. But when we talk about the cities themselves, Neuruppin is at the forefront of Prussian tradition. The city in the Ruppiner Land region of Brandenburg still visibly bears the mark of classicism in its entire cityscape.
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Neuruppin is located directly on Lake Ruppin, one of the largest lakes in Brandenburg, which has a significant impact on the cityscape. The lake is not only scenic, but also historically and economically important — it was already an important center for fishing and trade in the Middle Ages. The lakeside promenade, known as the Bollwerk, is particularly popular and invites visitors to stroll, cycle, or simply linger. From here, there are frequent views of the city’s striking buildings, including the St. Trinitatis monastery church with its characteristic high towers.
One of the highlights that particularly highlights Neuruppin’s classicist character is the old town, which was largely rebuilt in the classicist style after the great fire of 1787. The monument to Karl Friedrich Schinkel commemorates the famous architect who had a decisive influence on Prussian classicism. Equally impressive are the monument to Frederick William II and the Predigerwitwenhaus (preacher’s widow’s house ) — one of the few buildings that survived the city fire of 1787.
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We have already shown you Ribbeck Castle in the Havelland, a landmark that was influenced by the German poet Theodor Fontane — but now it gets even more personal: Neuruppin is his birthplace and therefore also bears the name “Fontanestadt” (Fontane City).
He was born here on December 30, 1819, as Heinrich Theodor Fontane at Schinkelstraße 1. His birthplace is a late-classical town house from the early 19th century, located in the old town of Neuruppin, not far from Lake Ruppin. Today, it houses a memorial and a museum dedicated to Fontane’s life and work.