Prötzel: NVA Museum Harnekop and Komitas Festival

Two distinct cultural themes come together in the municipality of Prötzel: the NVA Museum Harnekop and the International Komitas Festival, dedicated to the Armenian composer Komitas Vardapet, at Prötzel Castle. One presents exhibits from the National People’s Army and the Ministry for State Security of the GDR; the other adds a cultural dimension. This gives you a clear starting point for planning your trip: would you mainly like to explore military history exhibits, or are you interested in the cultural setting of a festival?

The NVA Museum Harnekop

The NVA Museum Harnekop was founded in 2000 and is housed in the residential building of the former command bunker of the Minister of National Defence. Its exhibition is spread across 30 rooms. Radio technology, equipment, armaments, gear and furnishings from the National People’s Army and the Ministry for State Security of the GDR date from various periods. During guided tours, the exhibits are explained by theme, and many are demonstrated in operation. Both the variety of objects and their explanation and demonstration are therefore part of the visitor experience. Visits are possible by prior telephone booking; arrange your appointment by phone in advance.

A festival at Prötzel Castle

Since 2011, Prötzel Castle has served as the venue for the International Komitas Festival. Its dedication to the Armenian composer Komitas Vardapet gives the festival a different cultural focus from the military history collection in Harnekop. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the current event dates.

These offer different themes for your trip; check the relevant dates and conditions separately when planning specific activities.

Märkisch-Oderland: more cultural and active pursuits

The wider destination of Märkisch-Oderland offers additional cultural experiences. In Buckow, the Brecht-Weigel House has been a museum since 1977. The literature museum hosts readings, concerts, talks, discussions, films, exhibitions and special guided tours throughout the year; individual offerings vary. Unlike the thematically arranged exhibits in Harnekop, Buckow focuses on a program of events in a range of formats.

The Bergfest in the mining town of Rüdersdorf near Berlin also offers a recurring cultural occasion: since the mining tradition was revived, it has been celebrated every year on the first weekend of July. The program and exact dates vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the details for that year’s event.

There are various ways to enjoy an active stay in the region. You can explore Märkische Schweiz on the 17 km Natura Trail and the nearly 21 km certified Märkische Schweiz Nature Park Route. The stated distances provide a concrete comparison of the route lengths; check trail conditions locally. Cycling tours along the Oder-Neiße Cycle Route are also possible in Märkisch-Oderland.

The Oderbruchbahn Cycle Route offers another option for planning a cycling trip. Its main route runs from Fürstenwalde/Spree or, alternatively, from Müncheberg to Wriezen. The route passes through the Oderbruch landscape and also offers a glimpse into the early 20th century and the history of rail transport. This lets you decide whether to choose a walking route mainly by its length or to include a historical connection in your cycling plans.

Ski jumping in the wider destination is not limited to winter: all the ski jumps at the Sparkassen Ski Arena in Bad Freienwalde can be used in summer and winter. Special mats and weather-independent in-runs make year-round ski jumping possible. Access arrangements may vary; check the current conditions before visiting.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Buckow, Küstriner Vorland, Groß Neuendorf, Müncheberg, Seelow, Strausberg, Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, Wilkendorf

Back to the main travel overview: Märkisch-Oderland.