Market Square
Marktplatz

The Marktplatz has been Neubrandenburg’s central square and meeting point since the city was founded in 1248. The square was strategically located in the middle of the medieval city center, surrounded by merchant houses, the town hall and the St. Marienkirche, which is now called the Konzertkirche. For centuries, this was where weekly markets, public announcements and city festivals were held. The paved square with its clear axes still bears witness to the original city plan, which was carefully designed to support both trade and administration.

During World War II, large parts of the Marktplatz and the surrounding buildings were destroyed. After the war, the area was rebuilt in a more functional, but still historically inspired, style. The town hall was recreated with references to the original, while the square was given wide, open spaces that could accommodate both markets and political gatherings. This mix of reconstructed tradition and post-war architecture creates a special atmosphere where history and modernity meet.

Today, the Marktplatz is once again a vibrant center of city life in Neubrandenburg. The square is used for everything from Christmas markets and summer concerts to food festivals and antique markets. Around the square are cafes, shops and cultural institutions that are worth visiting.

Concert Church (St. Mary’s Church)
Konzertkirche (St. Marienkirche)

The Konzertkirche is one of the most remarkable fusions of medieval and modern architecture in Northern Germany. The church was originally built as St. Marienkirche at the end of the 13th century in classic North German brick Gothic, but it was badly damaged during World War II and stood as a ruin for several decades. Instead of reconstructing it as a traditional church, the city chose to convert the building into a concert hall, giving new life to the historical landmark.

In the years 1997–2001, the building underwent an extensive renovation led by Finnish architect Pekka Salminen. He created a modern house-within-a-house concept, where the concert hall was built as a separate structure behind the church’s old walls, and they were connected by spectacular glass and steel structures. The result is a harmonious blend of history and the present, where Gothic masonry meets minimalist lines.

The acoustics of the Konzertkirche are considered among the best in Europe, making it a popular venue for classical concerts, choir performances and festivals. With a capacity for over 1,000 spectators, it serves as both a concert hall for the Neubrandenburg Philharmonie and a stage for international guest artists.

House of Culture and Education & Culture Finger
Haus der Kultur und Bildung & Kulturfinger

The Haus der Kultur und Bildung, popularly known as the Kulturfinger due to the shape of its slender tower, is a striking piece of GDR architecture. The complex was completed in 1965 as a multifunctional cultural center that was to bring together the city’s library, theaters, meeting rooms and educational facilities under one roof. It was a manifestation of the socialist urban planning of the time, where culture and education were seen as common goods.

The building’s most striking element is the 56-meter-high tower, which is still one of Neubrandenburg’s most recognizable silhouettes. The architecture itself is characterized by modernist simple lines, large glass areas and a functional approach to form. Although the original interior was characterized by the style of the 1960s, parts of the building were later modernized to adapt it to today’s needs. Today, the Kulturfinger functions as a vibrant cultural center with a library, café, shops and meeting rooms that are used for lectures, concerts and exhibitions.

Wiek Houses
Wiekhäuser

The Wiekhäuser are a group of houses that are a unique part of Neubrandenburg’s medieval city walls. They are small, protruding defensive towers that were built at regular intervals along the 2.3-kilometer-long ring wall that surrounded the city. Today, there are over 20 preserved Wiekhäuser, making Neubrandenburg one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in northern Germany. Originally, these towers had a military significance, as they allowed archers and crossbowmen to cover areas in front of the wall and prevent enemies from climbing up.

As the threat from enemy armies faded in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Wiekhäuser lost their military function. Many were instead converted into small homes, workshops or storage rooms. Some were provided with half-timbered facades and small windows, giving them a cozy, almost fairy-tale appearance. This transformation reflects the city’s ability to adapt its buildings to new times without losing their historical character.

Today, the Wiekhäuser are charming features of the streetscape along the city wall. Several of them house small shops, galleries or cafes, while others are still used as private homes. Guided tours are organized where you can enter selected Wiekhäuser and experience how they are furnished. They are not only an architectural curiosity, but also a living part of the city’s cultural heritage, connecting medieval defense strategies with today’s everyday life. It’s an exciting combination.

Friedland Gate
Friedländer Tor

Friedländer Tor is the oldest and best preserved of Neubrandenburg’s four city gates. It was built in the early 14th century and served as the city’s northern main entrance for centuries. The gate consists of both a main gate and a front gate, which are connected by a long wall passage, which gave the gate a strategic defensive role.

Architecturally, the gate is a fine example of North German brick Gothic with its red brickwork, pointed arched openings and decorative blinds. It has undergone several restorations, but large parts of the original structure have been preserved, giving an authentic impression of medieval city defense. Today, Friedländer Tor houses small exhibitions and serves as an atmospheric entrance to the old town. Its impressive length of around 88 meters also makes it one of the most striking medieval gates in the region.

Stargard Gate
Stargarder Tor

Stargarder Tor is Neubrandenburg’s southern gate and one of the most ornate. It dates from the 15th century and is particularly known for its nine large figures, the so-called Adorantinnen, which adorn the facade. These figures, depicting praying women, are unique to the region and have given the gate a special art-historical significance.

The structure consists of a high main gate and an outer gate, which are connected by a 40-meter-long masonry walkway. The gate’s decoration reflects both the late medieval architectural style and the city’s prosperity at the time of construction. Traces of color on the masonry suggest that the gate was once painted in strong shades. Today, Stargarder Tor is a popular photo motif, and its location makes it a natural starting point for walks into the historic city center.

Treptow Gate
Treptower Tor

The Treptower Tor is the highest of Neubrandenburg’s four city gates, and it faces west. With its almost 32-meter-high main gate, it appears both monumental and impressive. It was built in the 15th century and was an important access route for traders and travelers from western areas.

Today, the gate houses parts of the city’s regional museum, where you can see archaeological finds and learn about the city’s history. The exhibitions provide insight into both medieval daily life and the city’s military strategies. Architecturally, Treptower Tor is characterized by strong walls, pointed arched passages and decorative blind areas, which emphasize the gate’s representative function.

New Gate
Neues Tor

Neues Tor is the youngest of the city gates around Neubrandenburg. It was built after 1450 as a reinforcement of the city’s eastern defense line. Although the front gate was demolished in 1852, the main gate is still preserved and appears as a striking structure.

The facade is decorated with motifs and figures, including a variant of the Adorantinnen, which is also seen on Stargarder Tor. This decoration shows that the later Middle Ages also valued a combination of function and aesthetics. Today, the Neues Tor houses the Fritz Reuter Society, which organizes cultural activities and exhibitions.