Neuhardenberg Palace offers visitors several distinct cultural points of interest: architecture shaped by Schinkel, local and family history, and a landscape park closely connected to the palace grounds. Anyone considering Neuhardenberg as a destination can focus on architectural history, exhibitions or a walk through the park. These themes complement one another but appeal to different interests.
Palace and Schinkel Church
The palace acquired its present appearance through the redesign carried out by the Prussian architect Karl-Friedrich Schinkel in the early 19th century. Schinkel Church is part of the architectural ensemble of Neuhardenberg Palace, and its present form was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. An important distinction is that the palace was redesigned, whereas the church’s present form was designed by him. On the east side of the church, a narrow, open Doric colonnade was added in 1823, following a design by Schinkel, to serve as the final resting place of the Prussian State Chancellor. “Doric” refers to a classical column order. The narrow, open colonnade can be understood both as an architectural detail and as a tomb.
Exhibitions and local history
The permanent exhibition “Neuhardenberg Palace: A Site Visit” presents the history of the palace, the von Hardenberg family and the village. The exhibition features text panels, media installations with films and interviews with eyewitnesses, as well as selected exhibits. Its formats range from written information and audiovisual contributions to selected objects. Check the exhibition’s current opening hours before your visit.
The Alte Schule Village Museum is housed in a Prussian school building constructed around 1905. This shifts the historical focus: the permanent exhibition explores the history of the palace, the family and the village, while the school building provides the setting for the village museum. The two attractions therefore highlight different aspects of local history.
Landscape park and walk
The landscape park of Neuhardenberg Palace is closely connected to the palace grounds. It was laid out according to plans by Peter Joseph Lenné by Hermann Prince von Pückler-Muskau and John Adey Repton. A walk through the park repeatedly opens up sightlines to the palace building, as well as to other landmarks and features in the landscape. The park’s history and a walk through it offer different perspectives: the plans reveal how the park was designed, while the sightlines and landmarks guide the eye as you walk. Unlike the exhibition, the grounds are explored through their spatial design.
Events and dates
The Neuhardenberg Palace Foundation organizes a program of concerts, readings, theater, talks and exhibitions; concerts in particular are held in Schinkel Church. Individual offerings vary. At the annual village association festival, the “Bollenfüßlerfest,” village history is shared over wine and hand-knitted socks. When planning your trip, keep two schedules in mind: check the Foundation’s calendar for specific events and the festival date for your travel year.
Discover more destinations: Altlandsberg, Neulewin, Lietzen, Lebus, Garzau-Garzin, Bad Freienwalde, Manschnow, Reichenberg.
Return to the regional travel guide: Märkisch-Oderland.
