Grete Minde Festival Tangermünde

Tangermünde and Grete Minde

The story is tragic — and it has shaped Tangermünde like few others. Grete Minde, a young citizen of the town, was accused in 1617 of starting the devastating town fire of September 13, 1617, which destroyed large parts of Tangermünde. She was convicted and executed. More than 300 years later, the question of guilt was re-examined — Grete Minde is considered innocent today, posthumously rehabilitated. Theodor Fontane immortalized her story literarily in his novella Grete Minde in 1880; the play by Hans Pfitzner is another well-known adaptation.

The Festival

Today, Tangermünde commemorates this history as a historic town festival — not a somber memorial event, but a lively civic festival that combines the memory of Grete Minde with pride in the city. The venue is the market square of Tangermünde, one of the most beautiful brick Gothic ensembles in Northern Germany, featuring the town hall, St. Stephen's Church, and a well-preserved historic town wall. The 2026 program runs over a weekend in May with offerings for adults and children.

Tangermünde — Queen of the Altmark

Tangermünde, the "Queen of the Altmark," is one of Germany's best-preserved brick Gothic towns. Emperor Charles IV resided here at times; the town was an important trading post in the Hanseatic League and is located at the mouth of the Tanger River into the Elbe. The state of Saxony-Anhalt promotes Tangermünde as a tourist flagship — the town is the endpoint of many Elbe Cycle Route stages and a popular destination between Berlin and Hamburg. In the district of Stendal, it holds a special position as a town with its own unique appeal.

More Than a Town Festival

The Grete Minde Festival is part of Tangermünde's calendar of events, alongside the Kaiser Karl Festival, the Christmas Market, and the Tangermünde Days. In spring, it marks the start of the tourist season — many visitors combine the festival with a walk along the town wall, a visit to Tangermünde Castle, or a boat trip on the Elbe.