Strausberg history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Strausberg dates back to the first half of the 13th century, during a period of active land development on the Barnim Plateau. The city was founded around 1240 by the Margraves of Brandenburg from the Ascanian dynasty — John I and Otto III. The first documentary mention of the settlement dates to 1247, making it one of the historic towns of the region.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into a fortified city was driven by several strategic reasons:

• Geography: The city was established on the banks of the picturesque Lake Straussee. The body of water served not only as a source of fresh water and fish but also as a natural barrier protecting the settlement from the east.
• Defence: An important stage in the city's development was the construction of a powerful city wall made of fieldstone in the second half of the 13th century. This structure, partially preserved to this day, highlighted the significant military and political status of Strausberg.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Strausberg developed rapidly as a local centre of trade and spiritual life:

• Religious Influence: In 1254, a Dominican monastery was founded in the city, becoming the cultural and educational core of the district. During this same period, the construction of the monumental St. Mary's Church began, which remains an architectural landmark today.
• Economy: The advantageous location and city status attracted craftsmen and merchants, contributing to the development of market relations and the growing prosperity of local residents.

The Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

• 1432 — During the Hussite Wars, the city was captured, looted, and subjected to severe destruction.
• 1633 — The Thirty Years' War brought devastating fires and a plague epidemic to Strausberg, resulting in a significant reduction in the city's population.

Era of Industrialisation and Technical Progress

• 1867 — Opening of the railway connection on the Prussian Eastern Railway line, linking Strausberg with Berlin, which sparked economic growth.
• 1894 — Launch of the unique cable ferry crossing over Lake Straussee, operating on electric power.
• 1921 — Start of the city tram line operation, connecting the historic centre with the railway station.

20th Century and Modernity

• 1936 — The city acquires the status of an important garrison following the construction of a large airfield and new barracks.
• 1956 — Strausberg becomes the location for the Ministry of National Defence of the GDR, which defined its development vector for the following decades.
• 1990 — After the reunification of Germany, a large-scale restructuring of military facilities began, alongside a transition to the concept of a "Green City by the Lake".
• 2015 — The city ceremoniously celebrated the 775th anniversary of its foundation, confirming its status as an important regional centre in Brandenburg.

Key Stages of City Development

The development of Strausberg can be divided into several fundamental stages, each of which radically changed the appearance and status of the city:

• Formation of the Defensive Framework (13th Century). The erection of the fieldstone city wall not only ensured safety but also clearly defined the boundaries of the historic centre. This layout is preserved to this day, defining the cosy atmosphere of the "Old Town" (Altstadt).
• Railway Integration (1867). Connection to the Prussian Eastern Railway became an economic breakthrough. The city ceased to be an isolated settlement and began to transform into a popular suburb of Berlin, stimulating an influx of new residents and the development of holiday tourism.
• Technological Innovations (Late 19th – Early 20th Century). The launch of the unique electric ferry and the city tram line (Strausberger Eisenbahn) distinguished Strausberg from other small towns. This created a reliable transport infrastructure connecting the centre with the station and recreation zones, which functions effectively today.
• The "Garrison City" Era (1936 to 1990). The placement of a large airfield, and later the Ministry of National Defence of the GDR, led to explosive population growth. This resulted in large-scale urban expansion: new residential districts and social infrastructure appeared, oriented towards military personnel and their families.
• Modern Conversion and Revitalisation (Since 1990). After the reunification of Germany, the city successfully repurposed former military facilities. The focus shifted to quality of life: large-scale renovation of housing stock, landscaping of the Lake Straussee embankments, and restoration of architectural monuments were carried out, cementing the city's status as an environmentally clean and cultural centre.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Strausberg represents a visual chronicle where medieval structure harmoniously coexists with districts from the industrialisation era and large-scale developments of the second half of the 20th century. The city's appearance was formed under the influence of its strategic position and status: from a fortified trading post to a "garrison city" and a modern green suburb of Berlin.

The Middle Ages: Gothic and Defensive Architecture

The historic core of the city (Altstadt) has retained its layout since the 13th century. This period is characterised by the use of local natural materials and monumental forms.

• Romanesque Style and Early Gothic: A vivid example is the Church of St. Mary (Pfarrkirche St. Marien). This is a three-nave basilica combining elements of early Gothic and Romanesque styles. The building is constructed from fieldstone (granite boulders), which is typical for Brandenburg architecture of that time.
• Fortification Architecture: The City Wall, erected in the second half of the 13th century, is an important monument of medieval urban planning. Preserved sections of the wall made of untreated fieldstone still outline the boundaries of the old centre.

19th – Early 20th Century: Historicism and the Founders' Era

With the development of railway connections and the city's transformation into a popular holiday destination for Berliners, the architectural landscape began to change. The city expanded beyond the medieval walls.

• Historicism and Neoclassicism: Administrative and residential buildings with decorative facades appeared in the city centre and along the embankments. The Strausberg Town Hall (Rathaus), built in the early 19th century and rebuilt later, reflects a shift towards more secular and representative architecture.
• Resort Architecture (Bäderarchitektur): Elegant villas and country houses of wealthy citizens were erected along Lake Straussee, combining elements of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) and traditional German half-timbered framing.

Second Half of the 20th Century: Socialist Modernism

Strausberg's status as the main military administrative centre of the GDR led to explosive population growth and the need for rapid housing construction. This radically changed the structure of the city, especially in the northern part.

• Functionalism and Panel Construction: New micro-districts appeared (for example, Strausberg-Nord and Hegermühle), built up with standard prefabricated panel houses (Plattenbau). These districts were designed according to the principles of socialist urban planning: wide avenues, an abundance of greenery between houses, and developed social infrastructure (schools, kindergartens) within walking distance.
• Public Buildings: Large administrative complexes were erected for the needs of military departments, distinguished by strict geometry and minimalism in decor.

Modernity: Revitalisation and Integration

After 1990, urban planning policy shifted its vector towards preserving heritage and increasing the comfort of the urban environment.

• Reconstruction: Large-scale renovation of the historic centre and panel buildings was carried out. Facades of old houses were restored, and Soviet-era structures were modernised to improve energy efficiency and appearance.
• Modern Residential Development: In recent decades, areas of low-rise development and townhouses have been actively developing, filling vacant lots and connecting disparate parts of the city into a single whole.

Prominent Figures of Strausberg

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of people who left a significant mark on the culture, science, and public life of Germany. The fates of chroniclers, writers, musicians, and space explorers are intertwined with Strausberg.

• Andreas Angelus (1561–1598)
  Chronicler, pastor, and educator
  A native of Strausberg who became one of the most important historians of the Mark Brandenburg in the 16th century. His main work, "Annales Marchiae Brandenburgicae" (Annals of the Mark of Brandenburg), still serves as a valuable source of information about the medieval history of the region and daily life of that time.
• Theodor Fontane (1819–1898)
  Writer and poet
  The famous German novelist immortalised the city in his monumental cycle "Walks through the Mark of Brandenburg" (Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg). Fontane described in detail the urban legends, Lake Straussee, and the atmosphere of the 19th-century city, which made Strausberg a popular destination for cultural tourism.
• Georg Kurtze (1872–1945)
  Public figure, anti-fascist
  A native resident of Strausberg who dedicated his life to the fight for social justice. During the Nazi regime, he participated in the Resistance movement. One of the central streets of the city is named after him, preserving the memory of local history from the first half of the 20th century.
• Hugo Distler (1908–1942)
  Composer and church musician
  An outstanding representative of 20th-century German music, known for his innovative approach to choral genres. He spent the last years of his life in Strausberg, where, despite difficult historical circumstances, he continued to create. The house where the composer lived is marked with a memorial plaque.
• Sigmund Jähn (1937–2019)
  Pilot-cosmonaut, Major General
  The first German in space (flight in 1978). For many years he lived and worked in Strausberg, which during the GDR era was the headquarters of the Air Force and Air Defence. Jähn actively participated in the life of the city and was an honorary citizen.