Festung Peitz

About the museum

The massive brick tower in the center of Peitz is the oldest structure in the area; its core dates from a castle built around 1300. When Margrave Johann von Küstrin sought to secure the lordship of Cottbus/Peitz – then a Brandenburg exclave in Lower Lusatia – he had a citadel built from 1559, incorporating the old castle; it was completed in 1562, and the town's fortifications followed by 1595. In the process, Italian master builders, among them Rochus Graf zu Lynar, expanded the tower into the Generalturm (main tower), with walls up to six meters thick and barrel vaults.

Alongside Spandau and Küstrin, Peitz was one of only three early modern fortresses in Brandenburg. During the Thirty Years' War, nobles and clergy took refuge here, and in the winter of 1636/37 Elector Georg Wilhelm governed from Peitz. The fortress also served as a state prison, for instance for the deposed minister Eberhard von Danckelman. In the Seven Years' War the garrison had to surrender twice; in 1767 Frederick II had the fortifications razed, but the tower was left standing.

Today the tower houses a museum on the history of the fortress. Since 2011 the second vaulted hall has featured an exhibition on Johann von Küstrin, developed together with the partner town of Kostrzyn nad Odrą, and since 2013 whispering figures in the attic have given voice to the fortress's residents and prisoners. The great hall is used for concerts and weddings, and the Baroque roof turret, about 35 meters high, serves as a lookout point.

Highlights

• Medieval brick tower with walls up to six meters thick
• Panoramic view from the Baroque roof turret, about 35 m high
• Whispering figures tell of everyday life in the fortress
• Digital map table with historic fortress plans
• Exhibition on Margrave Johann von Küstrin

Permanent exhibitions

• Glaube, Macht und Politik – Exhibition in the second vaulted hall on Margrave Johann von Küstrin, who built the fortress, his Reformation policies, and his rule in the Neumark.
• Flüsterfiguren und digitaler Kartentisch – In the attic, figures such as Elector Georg Wilhelm, the prisoner Danckelman, and gunners describe life in the fortress; an interactive table shows historic fortress plans.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The great hall in the tower is used for concerts, celebrations, and weddings; inquiries via the museum.

Plan your visit