It’s a fine balancing act to incorporate the old and the modern together. Jüterbog, which is located less than an hour south of Berlin, seems to have it right. A place where 20th century roads run right under medieval tower gates and along its old Ringmauer (military fortification wall).
Gate Towers aren’t the only medieval historic sites around Jüterbog. Nikolaikirche is a smashing example of a 14th century church with ornately decorated naves. Don’t miss the Franziskaner Mönchenkirche or Liebenfrauenkirche, either.
One of the most historical buildings in all of Jüterbog is the Monastery Zinna, which was built sometime in the late 12th century. Kloster Zinna’s Kaltenhausen, or guesthouse, is a fine example of a New Baroque style that was added to the monastery’s farming area at the turn of the last century.
Monastery Zinna’s museum has a wealth of information on the lives of medieval nuns and monks. You’ll be exceptionally lucky if you manage to get in on one of Zinna’s Monastery culinary classes that are held here throughout the year.
Only a century younger than Monastery Zinna is Jüterbog’s City Hall (circa 1285), considered to be one of the most beautiful town halls in all of Brandenburg. The mayor’s office is on the second floor and what a view they have, as the Rathaus overlooks Jüterbog’s Market Place.
If you visit Jüterbog between April and October, there’s a fabulous city guided tour on the first Saturday of the month. For only a handful euros, this city run tour is more than worth it with an in-depth look into the town’s history and folklore. There’s another city tour that runs approximately 90 minutes and is dedicated to the town’s 20th century military history.
So, if you find yourself near Berlin, come visit Jüterbog. All you have to do is hop on the modern Bundesstraße B101 and follow it until you’ve come back in history a few centuries.
