Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [650]
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Information
Main post office (Marktplatz 2)
Stadt Info ( 194 33; www.neubrandenburg.de; Stargarder Strasse 17; 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, 10am-2pm Sun) Tourist information.
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Sights & Activities
CITY WALL
Neubrandenburg was founded in 1248 by Herbord von Raven, a Mecklenburg knight granted the land by Brandenburg Margrave Johann I, and building progressed in the usual order: defence system, church, town hall, pub. The security system was the 2.3km-long, 7.5m‑high stone wall that survives today, with four city gates and 56 sentry posts built into it.
The Friedländer Tor, begun in 1300 and completed in 1450, was the first gate. Treptower Tor is the largest and contains the Regionalmuseum ( 555 1271; adult/concession €3/1.50; 10am-5pm Tue-Sun), which is essentially an archaeological collection.
At the southern end of the city is the gaudy Stargarder Tor. The simple brick Neues Tor fronts the east side of the Altstadt and houses a small Fritz Reuter exhibition (admission free; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri) on the writer and satirist (1810–74). There’s a 2m-high bronze statue of ‘uns Fritzing’ (‘our mate Fritz’) near the train station.
Southwest of the train station (at about 11 o’clock) is the city’s former dungeon, the Fangelturm. You’ll recognise it by its pointy tower.
Wedged into the stone circumference are the 27 sweet half-timbered houses that remain of the original sentry posts. When firearms rendered such defences obsolete in the 16th century, the guardhouses were converted into Wiekhäuser, homes for the poor, disadvantaged and elderly. Most of the surviving homes are now craft shops, galleries and cafes.
TOLLENSESEE
In the summer months, locals decamp to this large lake southwest of the centre.
The best swimming places are both fun and free: Strandbad Broda at the northwest tip of the lake and Augustabad on the northeastern side.
Ferries ( 350 0524; www.neu-sw.de, in German; one-way €4.50) travel around the lake three times daily: click on ‘Linienschiff’, or ask the tourist office for the latest timetable, which also lists lakeside attractions. Cruise boats ( 584 1218; www.fahrgastschiff-mudderschulten.de, in German; 1½hr tours from €10; Tue-Sun May-Sep) also circumnavigate the lake.
DIY types can hire all kinds of boats, including canoes. Operators include Freizeittreff am Kulturpark ( 566 5352; www.freizeittreff-behn.de, in German; Parkstrasse 15; 10am-7pm May-Oct), which also rents bikes.
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Sleeping
Camping Gatsch-Eck ( 566 5152; www.camping-gatsch-eck.de, in German; per adult/car €4.80/2.30, tents €3.80-4.80) Down the western side of the lake, this leafy site has new bathroom facilities, and a laundry hut with washing machines and dryers. There’s a ferry landing nearby and lots of sports facilities.
Wiekhaus 28 ( 566 6571; www.wiekhaus.ws; 3rd Ringstrasse; s/d €43/55, breakfast from €4) Another of the city wall’s former sentry posts, this homely little apartment also has a minimum two-night stay and full self-catering facilities.
Wiekhaus 49 ( 581 230; www.hotel-weinert.de, in German; 4th Ringstrasse; d €65; ) This historic, half-timbered former sentry post near the Neues Tor has a cosy upstairs bedroom, mid-level lounge (with extra beds) and lower level kitchen, plus good bathroom facilities. There’s a minimum two-night stay (phone bookings required), but kids under 12 stay free, while it’s just €5 per night for those under 18.
Parkhotel Neubrandenburg ( 559 00; www.parkhotel-nb.de; Windbergsweg 4; s/d €65/90; ) One of the few larger hotels in town that doesn’t betray its GDR roots (at least on the inside). This place has stylish and well-planned modern rooms, with doubles boasting two bathrooms to save domestic arguments. It’s in the Kulturpark between the old town and the Tollensesee, and rooms at the front have the best views.
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Eating & Drinking
Café im Reuterhaus ( 582 3245; Stargarder Strasse 35; mains €7.20-10.50;