The hilltop castle, with its 38-metre-high keep, the Marie Hager House, and several cycling and hiking routes give Burg Stargard a range of attractions for visitors. When planning your trip, the main question is whether you want to focus on culture, an event, or outdoor activities. Train connections from Neubrandenburg and Neustrelitz are also useful when planning your journey.
Hilltop Castle and Art History
Stargard Hilltop Castle is considered Germany’s northernmost hilltop castle and the oldest secular building in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The 38-metre-high keep offers views across a landscape shaped by the Ice Age. The castle grounds also include a museum and an herb garden. A vineyard with 1,200 vines is reviving a winemaking tradition that dates back more than 400 years. The hilltop castle offers visitors a choice of themes: views, architectural history, plants, and winemaking.
The Marie Hager House adds a distinct cultural dimension. The museum is dedicated to the painter’s life and work and is located in her former home and studio. Since 1996, it has served as both a gallery and a biographical museum. A permanent exhibition is complemented by special exhibitions held several times a year. The house thus combines a focus on Marie Hager with changing exhibition themes.
Other historic landmarks include St. John’s Church, dating from the 13th century, and the former Hospital of the Holy Spirit, built in 1290. If you are interested in architectural and urban history, you can include these two historic sites in your plans alongside the hilltop castle and museum.
Events and Leisure
Annual events at Stargard Hilltop Castle include Walpurgis Night on 30 April, the Castle Festival on the second weekend in August, the Old Wives’ Summer Market on the last weekend in September, and the Castle Christmas Market on the second Sunday of Advent. These dates provide an overview of the events throughout the year; individual dates and programmes may change. Be sure to check the specific event schedule before travelling.
Another activity is the Burg Stargard summer toboggan run, with a 720-metre course featuring eight steep bends and two bridges. These specific course features offer a useful reference if you would like to include an active outing alongside the historic attractions.
Cycling Routes, Hiking and Getting There
Cycle Route 1 starts and ends in Burg Stargard, passes through Neubrandenburg and FĂĽnfeichen, and is about 17 kilometres long. Cycle Route 2 also starts in Burg Stargard and is 23 kilometres long. You can compare the two routes by length; for Route 1, the return to the starting point and the places along the way are also specified.
The Castle Hiking Trail runs from Burg Stargard to the Old Castle in Penzlin and is about 27 kilometres long. Public bus and train connections provide a return journey to Burg Stargard. If you are planning this hike, include the return trip in your plans and check the timetable for your travel date. This lets you consider the hiking distance alongside the stated return options without assuming a set duration.
Trains run regularly from Neubrandenburg and Neustrelitz to Burg Stargard. There is also a direct train connection between Berlin and Stralsund via Burg Stargard. Check the timetables for your specific travel dates before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Lindetal, Groß Nemerow, Pragsdorf, Cölpin, Holldorf, Cammin.
See the overview of the wider area: Amt Stargarder Land.
