Discover Burg Stargard

Burg Stargard brings together medieval architecture, art and active excursions. Stargard Hilltop Castle is considered Germany’s northernmost hilltop castle and the oldest secular building in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. With the Marie Hager House, recurring events and several routes, the town offers a variety of reasons to plan a trip. You can focus your days on historic sites, exhibitions or outdoor activities.

Hilltop Castle, Views and Winemaking Tradition

At the hilltop castle, the 38-metre-high keep is central to the experience: it offers views across a landscape shaped by the Ice Age. The castle also has a museum and an herb garden. Another special feature is the vineyard, with 1,200 grapevines. It has revived a winemaking tradition dating back more than 400 years. The views, history and winemaking heritage offer different highlights, so you do not have to limit your visit to just one theme.

Art and the Town’s History

The Marie Hager House is dedicated to the memory and work of painter Marie Hager. Housed in her former studio and residence, it has served as a gallery and biographical museum since 1996. It features a permanent exhibition as well as temporary exhibitions several times a year. If art is an important part of your trip, the house offers a distinct focus alongside the hilltop castle. Individual temporary exhibitions may change.

St. John’s Church and the former Hospital of the Holy Spirit also reflect Burg Stargard’s older architectural history: the church dates from the 13th century, and the hospital was built in 1290. These sites add further historic points of interest in town to a visit to the castle.

Events and Summer Toboggan Run

Four events at the hilltop castle recur each year: 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. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the specific dates and programmes for the year of your visit.

The Burg Stargard summer toboggan run offers a different kind of activity. Its track is 720 metres long and features eight steep bends and two bridges. The track length and individual features give you a good idea of what to expect; combined with a visit to the castle or museum, it makes for a different day out than an excursion focused mainly on longer routes.

Plan Hiking and Cycling

The Castle Trail runs from Burg Stargard to the Old Castle in Penzlin and is about 27 kilometres long. Public bus and train connections are available for the return journey to Burg Stargard. Check the timetables before setting off so you can include your return trip in your day’s plans.

The two cycling routes described differ in length and course. Cycle Route 1 starts and ends in Burg Stargard, passes through Neubrandenburg and Fünfeichen, and is about 17 kilometres long. Cycle Route 2 also starts in Burg Stargard and is 23 kilometres long. These details give you a concrete basis for comparison when planning: Route 1 is shorter and is described as a circular route starting and ending in town. When choosing between hiking and cycling, you can take the respective route length and stated course into account without assuming a walking or riding time.

Getting Here and Planning Your Trip

A direct rail service between Berlin and Stralsund passes through Burg Stargard; trains also run regularly from Neubrandenburg and Neustrelitz to Burg Stargard. If you are travelling by train, check the timetables for your travel dates. When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to include events and art, or set aside more time for hiking and cycling? This will help you tailor your accommodation search to your travel plans and coordinate your journey with your planned excursions.

More Destinations

Also discover: Holldorf, Pragsdorf, Lindetal, Cammin, Cölpin, Groß Nemerow.

Back to the regional travel overview: Amt Stargarder Land.