Türmetag Brandenburg an der Havel

Türmetag — when the towers of the Havel city stand open

Brandenburg an der Havel is the namesake city of the state of Brandenburg and one of the oldest cities in Northern Germany — founded in the 10th century. The city is spread across three islands in the Havel River (Altstadt, Neustadt, Dominsel) and is surrounded by one of the best-preserved medieval city walls in Northeast Germany. Four original watchtowers still stand today: Steintorturm, Mühlentorturm, Plauer Torturm, and Rathenower Torturm. They are normally closed — on Türmetag, they open along with the city's large church towers.

The Tower Pass — Collect stamps, win prizes

The core concept of the Türmetag is the Tower Pass: you receive a pass on your first ascent, and at each subsequent station, you get a stamp. Those who have collected a certain number of stamps by the end of the day can participate in a prize draw. This creates a playful city exploration: from the Mühlentorturm in the Altstadt to St. Catherine's Church, from there to the Steintorturm, then across to the Dominsel to St. Peter and Paul Cathedral — stamp after stamp.

What you see from above

Seeing Brandenburg from above means understanding the Havel city in its entire topography. The city wall towers offer views of the Altstadt and the surrounding area; St. Catherine's Church (Brick Gothic, 14th century) is one of the most important brick churches in Northern Germany; the Cathedral tower overlooks the Dominsel, the former seat of the Bishopric of Brandenburg. In clear weather, you can see far into the Westhavelland, which is a UNESCO Star Protection Area. Many towers offer guided tours with city historians — on the way up, you'll learn stories of city fires, sieges, and Brandenburg's industrial heyday.

Admission and Organizer

The Türmetag is an initiative of Stadtmarketing Brandenburg an der Havel and takes place annually on the second Sunday in September. Admission is mostly free or symbolic — a civic celebration of the city without commercial weight. You experience Brandenburg as it is: an old episcopal and Hanseatic city whose history can be read in every stone of the city wall and every church tower.