I’m not sure if I made a wrong turn somewhere. I was on my way to Storkow (Mark) in Brandenburg and found myself in Philadelphia. Philadelphia? Where was I? Did I slip into some sort of a cosmic black hole landing in some alternate universe?
No, I was in the right place… I was just in one of Storkow’s villages that was named by Frederick II of Prussia. And trust me, it might have the name of an American city, but this place is ALL German. :-)
What Storkow also has is 300km of cycling trails that run off through the area’s nature reserve; and plenty of hiking paths through some lovely forested countryside. Some of the most beautiful are around Lake Storkow with dunes that were created over 8,000 years ago.
Oh yeah, speaking of bicycles, Storkow has a bicycle museum including exhibits on the Tour de France and even rickshaws. Pretty nifty, I think!
Storkow even has a castle! Burg Storkow was a medieval wonder, built back in the mid-12th century. It has been changed, damaged, leveled by fire, and rebuilt over the subsequent centuries — the last being in 1978 when it was ravaged by fire & rebuilt in time for the town’s 800th anniversary. It was even used as a school for the Hitler Youth from 1934-1945.
Luckily, everyone get to come to the castle these days to enjoy concerts, theater & music performances often held in the castle courtyard.
It’ll be hard to pull yourself away from this magnificent castle but, if you don’t you won’t get to see the rest of Storkow. Like its historic 14th century Town Church (often holding music concerts) with its 36 meter high tower and all the little shops along the Marktplatz.
Look around a bit more and you’ll find Storkow’s War Memorial and a grand hunting lodge (built 1900).
The best way to see it all is to take a guided city and castle tour. This way you won’t miss anything & think you’ve warped through a black hole when you arrive in Philadelphia. ;-)
