Neubrandenburg

Neubrandenburg is a city in the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district of Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania, Germany. It sits on the shore of a lake named Tollensesee and serves as the urban center of the Mecklenburg Lakeland. The city is well-known for its beautiful medieval Brick Gothic architecture, including the world’s best-preserved defensive wall of this style and a Concert Church called Saint Mary, which is home to the Neubrandenburg Philharmonic.

Neubrandenburg is often called the “City of Four Gates” because of its four medieval city gates. Since 2011, it has been the capital of the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district and is the third-largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The city is an important economic center in northeastern Germany, with high employment density and a strong GDP per capita. Nearby major cities include the regiopolis of Rostock and the metropolises of Szczecin, Berlin, and Hamburg.

Since 1991, Neubrandenburg has been home to a University of Applied Sciences that offers international exchanges, guest programs, and study opportunities for students from around the world. The city is also part of the European Route of Brick Gothic, a path that travels through seven countries along the Baltic Sea coast.

History

The area around Neubrandenburg was largely empty during a time known as the Migration Period and was later settled by Slavs who formed a group called the Veleti starting in the 7th century. German influence grew after 1200, and the city of Neubrandenburg was founded in 1248 by the Margrave of Brandenburg, who named it after another city further south.

Neubrandenburg became an important trade center until the Thirty Years' War disrupted its growth. Later, it was part of Mecklenburg and saw various changes through history, including periods under Swedish and German control. During the Second World War, the city was affected by conflict and faced destruction. After the war, it became part of East Germany, where it was rebuilt and expanded. Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, the city faced economic challenges but has since seen improvements and renovations. Today, it is the capital of the large district of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte.

Sights and monuments

Neubrandenburg has kept its old medieval city wall completely intact. This wall stands 7 meters high and stretches for 2.3 kilometers around the city. It features four beautiful Brick Gothic city gates from the 1300s and 1400s, including the impressive Stargarder Tor, known for its unique shape and detailed designs.

Another notable site is the Brick Gothic Marienkirche, finished in 1298. Though damaged in 1945, it was repaired and now serves as a concert hall. The city's tallest building is the 56-meter tower of the Haus der Kultur und Bildung, nicknamed Kulturfinger. Other interesting spots include the Neubrandenburg Regional Museum, several historic gates, and the beautiful Tollensesee lake.

Education

Neubrandenburg has a Hochschule Neubrandenburg which is a University of Applied Sciences. The city also has three large secondary schools where students can continue their education after primary school. These schools help prepare young people for further studies or jobs.

Sports

Neubrandenburg is well-known as a city for sports, often called Sportstadt. The city has produced many Olympic medal winners and talented athletes, especially in canoeing, discus throwing, shot putting, and running. Famous athletes from Neubrandenburg include Andreas Dittmer, Martin Hollstein, Astrid Kumbernuss, Ralf Bartels, Franka Dietzsch, Katrin Krabbe, Jürgen Schult, and Gabriele Reinsch. The city has special stadiums and sports parks where big sporting and cultural events can take place, including the Jahnstadion, the Jahnsportforum, and the Stadthalle. There is also a special school for talented athletes called the Sportgymnasium Neubrandenburg.

Notable people

Neubrandenburg has been home to many notable individuals across different fields. Among them are Wenceslaus Johann Gustav Karsten, a mathematician known for his work on complex logarithms, and Fritz Reuter, a celebrated writer in the Low German language. Other famous residents include Luise Mühlbach, a writer of historical fiction, and Theodor Leipart, a prominent German trades unionist.

In the world of sports, the city has seen athletes like Hans-Jürgen Wallbrecht, a rower who won a silver medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics, and Rüdiger Helm, an East German sprint canoeist with multiple Olympic medals. Other notable sports figures include Ulf Hielscher, a bobsledder who won a bronze medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics, and Jana Sorgers, a rower who secured gold at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Governance

The current mayor of Neubrandenburg is independent politician Silvio Witt, who has held the position since 2015. The most recent mayoral election occurred on January 16, 2022. In October 2024, Mr. Witt announced his plan to step down as Lord Mayor in May 2025. The city council’s most recent election took place on June 9, 2024.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Neubrandenburg has several twin towns and sister cities around the world. These partnerships help bring people together from different places to share ideas and experiences.

Neubrandenburg is twinned with:

• Collegno, Italy (since 1965)
• Flensburg, Germany (since 1987)
• Gladsaxe, Denmark (since 1990)
• Koszalin, Poland (since 1974)
• Nazareth, Israel (since 1998)
• Nevers, France (since 1973)
• Petrozavodsk, Russia (since 1983)
• Villejuif, France (since 1966)
• Yangzhou, China (since 1999)