Online-Card - Perleberg

People and the powers of nature mould the fortunes of a town. Influences from outside do not always favor successful eras, and often the course of events remains beyond the control of human reason, understanding or regulation. Perleberg's origins, history and development show this clearly: Slavs, German settlers, premonstratensian monks and nobles, merchants, artisans, robber barons, ordinary and extraordinary people created history on the three small islands on the Stepenitz River which were the origins of the city of Perleberg.

Perleberg received the town privilege in 1239. By 1300 it flourished as a town independent of local rulers, as a member of the Hanse (1359 – 1447) and capital of the Prignitz, favored by the Margraves of Brandenburg. Commerce and trade determined is economic and social structure from the Middle Ages into the 19th century. On the Market Place you can find the stone statue of Roland (1498/16^th century), the symbol of civic power, lawful authority and privilege.

Picturesque old houses, dating from the 17 th to the early 20 th centuries, encirle the double square formed by the Market Place and the Church Squrare. The 14th century town hall, restored in 1839, situated in the main square next to statue of Roland and St. Jacobi Church, built in the 13th century. The particularly fine halftimbered house of former merchants and prominent citizens can be seen on the Church Square 9 - 11 and the Market Place 4 and 15.

The ravages of the Thirty Years'War (1618 - 1648) and fires damaged the appearance of the town and created profound changes life. Traces of this disastrous war could still be seen at the beginning of the 18th century. Between 1707 and 1714 the distinguished theologian and pietist Gottfried Arnold (1666 - 1714) lived and worked in Perleberg. As the author of the History of Heretics, he earned scorn as well as recognition. A stone tablet in the church reminds of the influential churchman.

The graet Prussian architect Friedrich August Stüler build the town hall, college and restaured the church. The great opera singer Lotte Lehmann (1888 - 1976) was born here. After winning over European audiences, she moved on to the USA.

In addition to history, the natural surroundings continue to be one of the greatest attractions that Perleberg in the Prignitz offers its visitors. The nearby meadows bordering the Elbe River in Brandenburg are especially beautiful. The landscape has a variety of extensive forests, streams, ponds and several small rivers for an enjoyable experience for boaters and hikers. For the cyclist, there is a newly-built network of bicycle paths to discover the natural beauties of the Prignitz and its villages and cities. In a large wooded area near the city, a zoo attracts many visitors. 

A lot of restaurants, cafes an bed- and breakfast places will invite you to stay. Perleberg is an ideal starting point for many interesting excursions in the nearby surroundings. By car you can start an a day trip to Berlin (2 h), to the capital of Brandenburg, Potsdam (2 h), to the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Schwerin (1,5 h) or to Havelberg (0,45 min) in Sachsen-Anhalt and also to the Wendland leftside the river Elbe.