Lenzen, municipality in Brandenburg state, Germany
Lenzen is a small town in the Prignitz district of Brandenburg, sitting on the western bank of the Elbe River. Above the old town rises a medieval castle with a tower from the 14th century, its walls more than 10 feet (3 meters) thick, making it the dominant feature of the skyline.
Slavic tribes built a ring-shaped fortress called Burg Lunkini at this site, first mentioned in writing in 929. After German nobles took control in the 12th century, they replaced it with the stone castle still standing today, though the Thirty Years War left the town nearly empty for a generation.
Lenzen is known locally for its castle on the hill, which today serves as a nature education center focused on the Elbe valley. Visitors can learn about the birds, floodplains, and seasonal floods that shape life along this stretch of the river.
The old town and castle are easy to reach on foot from the town center, and the walk up to the castle hill gives a good view over the surrounding flatlands. The Elbe floodplain nearby can be wet and muddy in spring, so sturdy footwear is worth considering if you plan to walk along the riverbank.
Excavations in Lenzen uncovered a carved wooden gate from the early settlement, showing that the residents put real care into their buildings even at that early period. Finds from the same dig, including pottery and jewelry from around the 10th century, are on display in the local museum.
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