Lenzen, municipality in Brandenburg state, Germany
Lenzen is a small town in the Prignitz district situated along the Elbe River, featuring an ancient castle on a hill with a tower built in the 14th century and walls over three meters thick. The surrounding landscape consists of flat fields, and the castle now houses a visitor center that showcases the area's history and the natural environment of the Elbe region.
Lenzen was founded over a thousand years ago when Slavic tribes built a ring-shaped fortress called Burg Lunkini at this location. Following its first written mention in 929 and the end of Slavic rule in 1147, German nobles constructed a stone castle with the tower that still stands today, but during the Thirty Years War the population declined from about 3000 to 300 people.
The town is easy to explore on foot and offers modest lodging options such as small guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts near the castle. The visitor center in the castle is open daily from late morning to early evening between April and October, with limited hours and days during winter months.
A fascinating archaeological discovery was an intricately carved wooden gate showing how carefully early residents designed their homes. Excavation finds including pottery, tools, and jewelry dating from the 10th century are now displayed in the local museum and provide insights into the daily life of early settlers.
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