Beelitz: History, Asparagus and Activity

Beelitz offers several reasons to visit, each of which can shape your stay in a different way: the roughly 800-year-old old town, with its historic buildings, invites you to explore; the parish church has a precisely datable history; and Wasserturm Park is all about exercise, play and spending time outdoors. There is also a history of asparagus growing with a clear starting point in the 19th century. If you are looking for accommodation, you can use this mix as a starting point for planning your trip—bringing together the town’s history, local farming traditions and active pursuits.

Town history between the church and the old town

Beelitz parish church was first mentioned in a document in 1247. It was originally a Romanesque pillar basilica built from hewn fieldstones. Its architectural style and materials offer a tangible glimpse into the town’s early building history. Another historical thread leads to the Legend of the Holy Blood: it made Beelitz the first pilgrimage site in the area east of the Elbe and possibly also in the German-speaking world. A chapel was built around 1340.

The roughly 800-year-old old town invites you to explore its historic buildings. Together with the church, it offers a view of different aspects of the town’s history: an early church building with a precise date, and the older urban area with its buildings. Ernst Vogel Watermill also fits into this local context. It is located on the edge of Beelitz’s old town, on Mühlenstraße.

Asparagus as part of Beelitz’s history

The history of asparagus growing has a clear historical starting point: in 1861, Beelitz farmer Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Herrmann was the first to grow asparagus on a commercial scale; more Beelitz residents gradually followed his example. This gives the topic a distinct local history of development. If you are interested in regional food culture and traditions, this farming history offers a different way to get to know Beelitz—alongside the town’s buildings and activities.

Activities and stargazing at the water tower

Beelitz Water Tower Park offers several ways to spend your time. The skate park includes a bowl, a quarter pipe, a plaza, a graffiti wall, trampolines and a “chill area.” The activity park combines the historic vegetation around the water tower with new facilities; paths and features for exercise, play and relaxation make the grounds an inviting place to explore. Here, specific skate and play features sit alongside a broader mix of paths and places to spend time. Individual facilities may change.

The water tower is also a place to look up at the sky: the Beelitz Stargazers are based there and invite visitors to events and stargazing sessions with a “view from above.” If you plan to include a stargazing session in your stay, check the event dates in advance.

More perspectives in Potsdam-Mittelmark

The wider destination of Potsdam-Mittelmark offers further cultural and hiking opportunities. Eisenhardt Castle, above Bad Belzig, is a cultural landmark where visitors can experience the Middle Ages at close hand. In the Middle Ages, Ziesar Castle was an important episcopal residence; its well-preserved architecture offers insight into the religious and political history of Potsdam-Mittelmark. Wiesenburg Castle is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, surrounded by an impressive landscaped park.

The Castle Trail offers a different scale for planning a trip in Potsdam-Mittelmark: it is 148 kilometres long, passes through the entire Hoher Fläming Nature Park and connects the region’s four castles. In this wider destination, individual historic sites are complemented by a long-distance route.

Choose accommodation to suit your stay

If you are planning around different interests, you can weigh up these options. This gives your search for accommodation in Beelitz a direction without limiting your stay to just one theme.

Discover more destinations

Explore the destinations Beelitz Heilstätten and Fichtenwalde too.

Discover more destinations: Wiesenburg/Mark, Niemegk, Nuthetal, Schwielowsee, Radewege and Ziesar.

Go to the wider travel overview: Potsdam-Mittelmark.