The fishermen town (7,000 inhabitants) of Ketzin is very close to Berlin. It is situated about 15 miles northwest of Potsdam. Walking in its ancient alleys, visitors feel as if the time stood still. The local fishing industry has been playing for more than 100 years a central role in the life of the inhabitants and the tourism industry as well. Each year, late summer, the fishermen festival is celebrated here. Most of the town was built in the 19th century. The parish church and its rook had been built in the 18th century.
The town's museum is devoted to romantic history of the place. At the neighboring village of Paretz, about 1.5 miles from Ketzin, there have been for the last ten years, every summer, classical concerts. The Paretz Palace and Park were built in 1800 or so, to serve as the summer residence of Frederick the 3rd king of Prussia and his wife Louise. It is recommended to visit them, as well as the 18th century rural church.
About 6 miles from Ketzin, at the shore of Lake Schlaenitzsee the idyllic town of Marquardt is located. The town has developed since 1791, from the Marquardt manor. Around the manor, there is a terrific landscape garden designed by the great architect Peter Joseph Lenné, who also created many of the magnificent gardens of Potsdam and Berlin. Walking in the park is an enjoyable experience.
Stoelln is a tiny settlement, which is now part of the small town of Gollenberg (500 residents). The place is well-known, mainly thanks to the German aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal, whose glider crashed in 1896 near Stoelln during a flight experiment. Lillienthal died of his wounds the next day in a hospital in Berlin.
In 1989, the German pilot Heinz-Dieter Kallbach managed to land a whole Russian made Ilyushin IL 62 passenger jet on the Lillienthals' historic grass runway, which is only 860 yards long. Kelabach's daring landing was recorded in Guinness Book of Records. Kallbach's plane, called "Lady Agnes, after the name of Lilienthal's wife, is displayed at the Lillienthal Museum in Stoelln. In the back of the plane, a stand is installed to perform marriages, at which hundreds of couples have married so far.
Since 1969, Stoelln has been celebrating the first weekend of August annually, the Otto Lilienthal's Festival, the participants of which fly light aircraft, gliders, balloons and paragliders. In September each year, the gliding festival is celebrated in Stoelln.
The village's name was first mentioned in a 1441 documen. Stoelln's Church was built in 1824 on the foundations of an earlier church. Another tower was added to the church in 1778.
Since 1990, the Aviation Sports Club has been operating in Stoelln. On weekends many activities are offered there, including many options to view the landscape from above. Stoelln's airstrip suits light aircraft only.
Arrival at Stoelln (Gollenberg)
By Car
When driving from Berlin, take the B5 highway, get off at the exit to Friesack, turn left and follow the signs toward Rhinow. Take the 17 L road, until you see the sign directing to Stoelln.
When driving from Hamburg and Rostock take the A19 highway, and get off at the exit to Herzsprung. Keep going until arrive at Wustermark. From there continue driving to Friesack, and follow the same instructions mentioned above.
By train:
In the main railway station of Berlin, take the regional train line RE4 (to Wittenberge direction). Get off the train at Neustadt (Dosse) station. There take the bus to Rathenow (line 684) .Get off at the Rhinow bus stop. Important note: On weekends, you cannot get on the bus to Stoelln's airstrip, so you have to walk about 1.5 miles (one hour) from the bus station. It is not allowed not take a bike on the bus.
The village of Caputh is mostly a settlement of river sailors and fruit growers. The residents of Berlin and Potsdam discovered a hundred years ago the tourist value of the region, especially the Palace of Caputh and its park. The palace was built in 1661 and is the only surviving palace of Brandenburg princesses in the area of Potsdam.
The tiles' hall, with more than 7,500 tiles, the living rooms of Princess Dorothea, and the landscape garden designed by Peter Joseph Lenné, are the main attractions. The local 19th century's church is located opposite the palace. It's built in a style which reminds of an Italian basilica.
One of the main attractions is the summer residence of Jewish genius Albert Einstein. In 1932-1929, a short time before he was exiled by the Germans, Einstein used to live there with his family during the spring and summer each year. They used to take a walk and sail boats.
Caputh's local museum shows its visitors how people lived and worked here. Visitors are also offered to ride a bike on the many trails in the area. There are boating anchorages on the Gemuende, the local section of the Havel River, and near the Caputh palace. Boat cruises on the Schwielowsee lake start there. There are also a variety of concerts and other cultural events during the year in the Caputh palace, the church and the garden of Einstein's house.
Just south of Caputh, the idyllic artists' village of Ferch is situated. The roofs of its houses are covered with reeds. A 17th century fishermen church is another part of the picturesque scenery. Artists come here to get their inspiration since the 19th century. The most famous of them is Karl Hagemeister, an Impressionist painter who lived and died in Werder upon the Havel (1933-1848).
Take the urban train (S-bahn) S-1 line, from Berlin to Potsdam's main railway station. Then, take the regional train line RB22 and get off at Schwielowsee station. Caputh is 150 yards from there
By Car
Take the Berlin Ring highway A10. Get out at the Pdm-Sued (Michendorf) exit and turn toward Potsdam' then continue driving to Michendorf. From there, follow the signs directing to Caputh.
Another option: get off the A10 highway at the exit Ferch, continue driving to Ferch, and then turn right towards kaput.
Other places and attractions in Havelland
Brandenburg upon the Havel, West Havel nature park, and Glindow. Click here.
Werder upon the Havel, Petzow and Ribbeck. Click here.
