Fürstenwalde (Spree) was first documented as a city in 1272. Even today you can see remnants of the 14th and 15th century city walls, erected at a time when the town was literally the end of the road. The Spree River became unnavigable at this point, so Fürstenwalde was filled with merchants and traders loading and offloading their cargoes.
The town was an important church center as well. It was home to the Bishop of Lebus for over 200 years, and over time three cathedrals were built. St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1446, has a tower 68 meters high.
Fürstenwalde’s fortunes waxed and waned over the centuries, with the building of the Friedrich-Wilhelm Canal in 1662 badly affecting the town, and the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century providing something of an economic boom.
A visit to the local museum will walk you through all the stages of its history, including the building of the first railroad station in Germany in 1842. You can visit the station today.
Beer has been brewed here since the Middle Ages, and the granting of rights to independent brewers resulted in something like 104 individuals holding licenses in the 18th century. Today you can visit the 19th century Stieber & Stimmig brewery building, or sit in one of the beer gardens and sample the many varieties on offer.
Another sight you might want to visit is the narrowest house in town. It dates from the 17th century and is only 3.83 meters wide!
Or you might want to take a look at the 1837 Spree Mill, the first building in Fürstenwalde built of commercially produced brick.
The Jadgschloss, built in 1699, was a hunting lodge for Friedrich III, but has served as military barracks for much of the time since.
There is plenty to see and do in Fürstenwalde. Why not come and see for yourself? :-)
