Dömitz Fortress, Dömitz, Germany

From a strategic point of view the mighty Dömitz fortress could hardly have been built in a better location: It protected the south-western border of Mecklenburg and the Elbe crossings. Furthermore, duties could be levied on the Elbe.

The pentagon-shaped Renaissance fortress was erected between 1559 und 1565 under Duke Johann Albrecht I. The architect was Francesco a Bornau, an Italian. From the 18th century on, the fortress served as a prison. The most famous prisoner was the Mecklenburg author Fritz Reuter, who had to spend some years here in the 19th century.

The Dömitz Fortress survived the centuries without appreciable destruction. In the year 1975 it was declared a protected monument.

Today many parts of the fortress are accessible to visitors. From the ramparts you can overlook the entire complex. In the casemates you can imagine how the prisoners in the fortress felt. The exhibitions in the gun powder magazine and in the commander’s house tell about the history of the fortress and the town of Dömitz.

References:

mecklenburg-vorpommern.eu

User Reviews

George Coppock (2 months ago)
Nice fort near the banks of the Elbe, worth a look but the town is run down and not worth a visit.

Gopi Krishna (6 months ago)
I am happy to do our project week at Fortress Dömitz where we spent four days of land survey and laser scanning.Happy to be in a place with lots of history and serene landscape.Once acted as the gateway to Mecklenburg state, they have witnessed revolutions and world wars. Located by the Elbe river, definitely worth the visit with a curious mind to have a look around ,and spend the weekend biking etc.

Helen Edley (2 years ago)
We could only admire this from the outside as we missed the open hours.

Philip Spinks (5 years ago)
Very interesting place to visit. Unfortuntelyn while all the warning signs are in 3 languages all the information is not. You need to read German to get the most out of your visit. Do not let that put you off from visiting. Your entrance fee goes to support valuable restoration work. Parking nearby is free and its a great place for a picnic or to go hiking. The town is very quaint and pretty. Worth seeing. Nearby is a fragment of the border fence from the DDR and the castle has an exhibition of the day the people of East Germany became free to travel to the West.

Michael griesche (5 years ago)
Ein Ort wo man Zeit braucht, aber auch Interesse für mittelalterliche Geschichte einfach viel zu entdecken vor allem wenn man erst erkundet hat und dann in das Museum geht wo eine Miniatur vorhandenen ist toll gemacht

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright @Maitri

Historic Site of the week

Vufflens Castle

Vufflens castle was built in 1425 on the site of a previous medieval castle by Henri de Colombier. It is the most significant example of a small group of fortified Romandy castles from the middle ages, characterised above all by its brick construction. In 1530, it was set on fire by Bernese troops. In 1641 it was acquired by the de Senarclens family. The castle is currently privately owned and cannot be visited.

A pleasant 30 minute-walk through the vineyards between Vufflens-le-Château and Denens, offers a stunning view of this magnificent castle, the lake and the Mont-Blanc.

Dömitz Fortress

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Vufflens Castle