Plattenburgspektakel – Medieval Spectacle

Spectacle at the Moated Castle

Plattenburg Castle in the Prignitz district, in the far northwest of Brandenburg, is considered the largest preserved moated castle in Northern Germany. Its history dates back to the 12th century, and its moated location has protected it from destruction for centuries. For one weekend in June, this setting becomes the stage for one of Brandenburg's most impressive medieval festivals: the Plattenburgspektakel.

Three Stages, Three Worlds

The festival grounds are divided into three areas. The castle courtyard with its brick Gothic walls forms the central stage. The area by the ruins and in front of the castle utilizes the medieval atmosphere of the historic ruins. In the Elbenwald behind the castle, light effects and fairy tale figures enchant visitors. Strange giant figures and mythical creatures wander across the grounds – a hallmark of the spectacle.

Music, Theatre, Knight Fights

The 2026 program includes medieval music with FABULA, the puppet show Tanzwut-Theatrum Diaboli with live musical accompaniment, the Mongolian-inspired equestrian games of Mandshur Tengri with the famous 'Ride Through Flames', the jester Lupus, Theater Federgeist, the witch comedy of Chibraxa, and the percussion duo Sack and Pacc with bagpipes and drums.

Market and Crafts

Over 70 market stalls line the festival grounds: blacksmiths, glassblowers, basket weavers, leather workshops, bow makers. Food stalls serve wild boar, stick bread, mead, and honey wine. The stalls are deliberately committed to the medieval style – plastic and modern logos are taboo.

Prignitz – the Quiet Brandenburg

Prignitz is one of the most rural regions of the state of Brandenburg, sparsely populated, characterized by brick Gothic architecture and river landscapes. The Plattenburgspektakel is one of the highlights of the tourism season in the district and attracts visitors from Northern Germany, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Those who visit once often return – the combination of an authentic castle, an ambitious program, and a tranquil landscape has become well-known.