Fürstensee: Trails, Lake and History

Fürstensee can be explored through two themes: its natural surroundings and local history. Cycling and hiking trails, as well as Lake Großer Fürstenseer See, shape the landscape, while traces of the past offer another way to discover the town.

Trails into the protected areas

Cycling and hiking trails lead through Fürstensee directly into Müritz National Park and Feldberger Seenlandschaft Nature Park. An official entrance to the Serrahn sub-area of Müritz National Park is also located in Fürstensee. The trails lead into two protected areas, while the entrance specifically refers to Serrahn. This distinction helps keep the names and their respective references clear.

Lake Großer Fürstenseer See and its surroundings

Lake Großer Fürstenseer See covers 228 hectares. Except for the town of Fürstensee, it is completely surrounded by forest. To the north, it borders the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ancient Beech Forests around Serrahn.” The area measurement describes the lake itself; its forested surroundings and northern neighbor place it in the wider landscape.

Specific local references also matter when it comes to protected-area zones: the areas around Lake Großer Fürstenseer See lie within the process-protection area of Zone III of Müritz National Park. The area at Lake Zwirnsee, by contrast, lies in Zone I, the core zone. The different names and zones should not be conflated when finding your way around.

There is also a specific rule for Lake Großer Fürstenseer See: only human-powered boats may be used on it. If you are considering a boat trip, bear this restriction in mind when planning.

Church history and historic crosses

Fürstensee has been an independent parish with a priest since 1287. The former cemetery in Fürstensee is home to numerous wrought-iron crosses dating from 1822 to 1898. These are two distinct historical points of reference: the independent parish and the crosses in the former cemetery.

The dates also serve different purposes: 1287 marks the start of the independent parish; the years 1822 to 1898 refer to the crosses. Keeping these periods separate brings the town’s history to life without conflating them. Alongside its natural surroundings, the parish and crosses offer another way to explore Fürstensee’s history.

More to discover in the wider Neustrelitz destination

The wider Neustrelitz destination adds an urban perspective. Neustrelitz was founded in 1733 as a late-Baroque planned town. Its Baroque layout is centered on a square market square, from which an eight-pointed star of streets radiates. This is a different focus from Fürstensee’s protected areas and local history.

The palace gardens are also part of Neustrelitz’s cultural identity: this landscape garden features romantic pathways, sculptures, and fountains. The wider destination thus offers clearly defined themes of urban planning and garden design in Neustrelitz, alongside Fürstensee’s natural surroundings and local history.

For an overview of the wider destination: Neustrelitz.