Gauklerspiel auf der Zitadelle Spandau

The Citadel as a Stage

The Zitadelle Spandau is one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe—built in the 16th century, with the Juliusturm tower, over 800 years old, at its heart. When Carnica Spectaculi hosts its annual Gauklerspiel (jesters' play), the imposing complex transforms into a baroque pleasure garden: between bastions and casemates, jesters, jugglers, and acrobats perform, a medieval market fills the inner courtyard, and the air is thick with the smell of campfires and mead.

What to Expect

The spectacle blends disciplines that enchanted traveling audiences in the Middle Ages and early modern period: juggling with clubs, balls, and flaming torches, high-wire and ground acrobatics, fire-eaters, magic, stilt walkers, and puppet shows. Performers appear in several rounds throughout the day—you wander between stages, curating your own program.

The Market

Accompanying the spectacle are around 40–60 market stalls with historically accurate costumes: leather crafts, blacksmithing, wool felt, horn combs, medieval musical instruments, mead, bratwurst, garlic bread, and mulled apple cider. The atmosphere is spot-on—Carnica Spectaculi is among the most professional German organizers in this genre.

A Festival for Families

Unlike some medieval events in the Ruhr area or Bavaria, the Gauklerspiel at the Zitadelle consciously remains family-friendly. Children aged 6 and up pay €6, under 5s are free. For adults, it's €13 (concessions €9). The program runs continuously from 10 am to 7 pm on both days.

Berlin and Spandau

Spandau, the youngest of Berlin's twelve districts and only incorporated into Berlin in 1920, maintains its own identity—the historic old town with St. Nicholas' Church, the harbor, the citadel. The Gauklerspiel is part of the effort to breathe life into the fortress beyond its museum function. Take the opportunity to stroll through Spandau's old town after the spectacle.