Neustrelitz is a city that captivates its visitors not only with its idyllic location in the Mecklenburg Lake District, but above all with its extraordinary history and architecture. As the former royal seat of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, every corner of the city exudes the spirit of the Baroque and Classicism. Anyone strolling through Neustrelitz embarks on a journey back in time to an era when urban planning was understood as a harmonious art form.
Neustrelitz – a city like a star
Neustrelitz was founded in 1733. Following a devastating fire that destroyed the old residential palace in neighboring Strelitz-Alt, Duke Adolf Friedrich III decided to make a fresh start. He had a new city built “on a greenfield site” on Lake Zierker. The result was a late Baroque planned city whose layout remains a rarity throughout Europe to this day.
The most striking feature is the square market square, one of the largest of its kind in Germany. From this center, eight streets radiate in all directions like the points of a star. This “Star of Neustrelitz” reflects the Baroque longing for order and symmetry and lends the city a clarity that one searches for in vain in organically grown medieval towns. The eye-catcher right on the market square is the town hall, built in the Neoclassical style, which underscores the city’s representative character.
Highlights of the Residence
Although flames destroyed the magnificent residential palace at the end of World War II, the adjacent palace garden still exudes its stately aura. Today, the garden stands as one of the city’s most important landmarks. It features valuable sculptures, magnificent sightlines, and the neo-Gothic palace church. The Orangery deserves special attention: While it once protected exotic plants from the winter, today it attracts visitors as a vibrant venue for concerts and dining.
Another symbol of the city is the Strelitzia. The city’s namesakes honored the homeland of Queen Charlotte of Great Britain—a princess born in Mecklenburg-Strelitz—with this exotic flower. To this day, the flower’s motif adorns many places throughout the cityscape. Culturally, Neustrelitz also shines with the Palace Garden Festival, which captivates thousands of visitors every year.
In addition to its historic architecture, Neustrelitz offers a modern quality of life today. The city harbor on Lake Zierker combines historical heritage with maritime flair and serves as a gateway to the Müritz National Park. Neustrelitz is thus a city that successfully combines its proud past as a royal seat with the natural beauty of Mecklenburg.
