Fürstensee combines paths through protected landscapes with a distinctive lake and forest setting and a long ecclesiastical history. When deciding where to stay, nature, water and local history can be considered as separate areas of interest. The Great Fürstensee Lake, cycling and hiking trails, and historical traces give the place its distinctive character.
Lake, Forest and Protected Areas
The Great Fürstensee Lake covers 228 hectares. Apart from the village of Fürstensee, it is completely surrounded by forest. To the north, the lake borders the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ancient Beech Forests around Serrahn.” Fürstensee is also home to an official entrance area to the Serrahn section of Müritz National Park. The areas around the Great Fürstensee Lake are within the park’s process protection area in Protection Zone III. By contrast, the area around Zwirnsee is in Protection Zone I, the core zone. The protected-area designations for the Great Fürstensee Lake and Zwirnsee are therefore different.
Cycling, Hiking and Boating
Cycling and hiking trails lead directly from Fürstensee into Müritz National Park and Feldberg Lake District Nature Park. Planning also requires distinguishing these land-based trails from use of the Great Fürstensee Lake: only muscle-powered boats are permitted on it. Those weighing up a cycling or hiking tour against a trip on the lake will find different conditions for each activity. Boat use on the lake is clearly restricted; the trails are designated for cycling and hiking.
Ecclesiastical History and Historical Traces
Fürstensee has been an independent parish with a priest since 1287. The former cemetery contains numerous wrought-iron crosses dating from 1822 to 1898. These two time periods span the village’s medieval ecclesiastical status and the dated crosses of the 19th century. Alongside the landscape, there is therefore a concrete local history stretching over several centuries.
More to Explore in the Larger Destination of Neustrelitz
In the larger destination of Neustrelitz, the city’s history is a focus in its own right. Neustrelitz was founded in 1733 as a late Baroque planned town. Its Baroque town plan radiates from a square market square, with an eight-pointed star of streets. Those interested in historic urban planning will find a different perspective here from the landscape and ecclesiastical traces in Fürstensee: the focus is on the town’s layout and street pattern.
The Neustrelitz palace gardens are a landscaped garden with romantically set paths, sculptures and fountains. Another cultural site in Neustrelitz is the palace church. It is one of the most significant architectural monuments of the former Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and an important cultural venue in the present-day city. It is open from May to October and hosts exhibitions, concerts and readings. If you plan to visit the palace church, take its seasonal opening period into account.
Water excursions are also among the offerings of the larger destination of Neustrelitz. From Neustrelitz’s town harbor, waterway travelers can explore Müritz National Park and the Strelitz Small Lakes region via the Upper Havel Waterway. As navigation conditions can vary, it is advisable to check the current situation before setting out. This helps distinguish Fürstensee’s established themes—lake, trails and local history—from Neustrelitz’s independent urban and water-based offerings.
Go to the overview of the larger destination: Neustrelitz.
