Neubrandenburg

Founded in 1248 as a sister town to Brandenburg on the Havel, the town was laid out in the form of a regular oval. It prospered as a trading centre until the Thirty Years’ War, after which it fell into disrepair. As a result it now has what is probably the only example of post-World War II concrete tower blocks surrounded by medieval town walls, which have survived virtually intact.

The walls extend for 2.3 km (2515 yds), originally with a keep open to the interior, and subsequently interspersed with halftimbered houses, known as Wiekhäuser (there were once 58, of which 24 survive). Of the four city gates the most interesting are Friedländer Tor (begun in 1300), with inner and outer gateways and a tower, as well as Neues and Stargarder Tor, decorated on the town side with mysterious terracotta figures of women with raised hands.

In the town centre stands the Medieval Marienkirche, which was damaged during World War II and is now restored as a concert hall.

Environs

The castle in Stargard, some 10 km (6 miles) to the south, is the oldest secular building in Mecklenburg. Its 4 m (13 ft) walls were begun in 1200; the residence in 1236. Today it houses a youth hostel.