Do you think that Sanssouci Palace, Oranienburg Palace, and Boitzenburg Palace are the most important sights in Brandenburg? You’re wrong. The list of historic buildings in this region is almost endless, and each one is a jewel steeped in history. To help you avoid the big-city winter blues at this time of year, we’ve picked out another destination in the Berlin area – and it’s every bit as special as the more famous castles. The Old Castle of Freyenstein in Brandenburg (Prignitz) is considered one of the most impressive, yet underrated castles in the region.
Photo: @rebeswelt (Instagram)
The Old Castle is part of a larger castle complex that also includes the New Castle and the Freyenstein Archaeological Park. The first documented mention of a castle on this site dates back to 1332. The present castle was built between 1551 and 1572, after a representative Renaissance complex had been erected on the remains of a medieval moated castle. The builder was Curdt von Rohr, who commissioned the architect Dominicus Parr to construct it in the North German Renaissance style.
During the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was destroyed in 1631 and initially remained a ruin. In the following centuries, the building served as a brewery and distillery, among other things, before falling into increasing disrepair. It was not until the post-war period, especially from the 1960s onwards, that extensive restoration work began. Today, the Old Castle is a listed building and is considered an important testimony to regional history.
Photo: @phantastic_van_and_camplife (Instagram)
The architecture of the castle is particularly remarkable, as it is a fragment of a Renaissance three-winged complex with an irregular floor plan. The richly decorated terracotta ornamentation adorning the facades, gables, and stair tower is particularly eye-catching. It probably originates from the workshop of the famous terracotta master Statius von Düren from Lübeck. The terracotta elements feature floral tendrils, grotesques, and portrait medallions depicting historical figures. Parts of the west wing, a stair tower, and remains of the south facade have been preserved.
Today, the castle is a ruin, but it continues to be used for tourism. Inside, there are smaller exhibitions, for example on everyday objects from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as a doll museum on the second floor. The impressive backdrop of the former Renaissance castle also serves as a popular venue for weddings in a historic setting and for cultural events.