Königs Wusterhausen Castle – a hint of Renaissance

The exterior shape of Königs Wusterhausen Castle, which is located outside the gates of Berlin, goes back to a building in the Renaissance style. It is based on a medieval castle, in which the Schlieben family of robber barons lived during the 14th century. At the beginning of the 18th century, it was the favourite residence of Friedrich Wilhelm I, who used it primarily as a hunting lodge and held his famous “Tabakskollegium” (a group of close male confidents met the king at the castle in order to smoke clay pipes together while discussing and making important political decisions) here. The castle courtyard is enclosed by two-storey wings, which also characterise the appearance of the entrance. Anyone who wishes to experience a genuine part of Old Prussia should not miss a visit to the castle. In contrast to the spartan Prussian interior of the castle, the Brandenburg and international meals at the Kavalierhaus Restaurant (cavaliers’ house) are rather sumptuous. Cultural events, such as concerts, regularly take place here. The castle museum provides an overview of painting and craftwork in Brandenburg-Prussia during the first half of the 18th century and also contains 40 pictures that were hand-painted by the “soldier King”.